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Are you sure your number one issue is discipline? I'm in a similar position to you and I had also realized that I lacked discipline, but nowadays I think it's a
by mion 14y ago
Are you sure your number one issue is discipline?
I'm in a similar position to you and I had also realized that I lacked discipline, but nowadays I think it's actually a matter of doing what you're into.
And recently I came across one of Paul Graham's essays that resonates with my thinking.
Quoting pg (http://paulgraham.com/hs.html http://paulgraham.com/hs.html):
"Now I know a number of people who do great work, and it's the same with all of them. They have little discipline. They're all terrible procrastinators and find it almost impossible to make themselves do anything they're not interested in. One still hasn't sent out his half of the thank-you notes from his wedding, four years ago. Another has 26,000 emails in her inbox.
I'm not saying you can get away with zero self-discipline. You probably need about the amount you need to go running. I'm often reluctant to go running, but once I do, I enjoy it. And if I don't run for several days, I feel ill. It's the same with people who do great things. They know they'll feel bad if they don't work, and they have enough discipline to get themselves to their desks to start working. But once they get started, interest takes over, and discipline is no longer necessary.
Do you think Shakespeare was gritting his teeth and diligently trying to write Great Literature? Of course not. He was having fun. That's why he's so good."
- iamathrowaway 14y agoI definitely agree, but I have a lot of trouble staying disciplined and focused on one thing. I get distracted and chase the next great idea I have rather than sticking with something and running with it. Thanks for your input.
- mion 14y agoI was (am) having the same problem, so recently I've decided to join other people to see if that helps me commit to an idea (wasn't even my own). And it does! IMHO I think you should struggle some more with your discipline problem, and then join an institution such as a start-up, HackerSchool, etc. Internships and programs are great because of the experience you'll get, knowledge and so on, but your lack of discipline when nobody's watching you will still probably be there afterwards. But that's just my opinion!
- iamathrowaway 14y agoWill definitely consider, thanks!