Discipline Equals Freedom
“Discipline equals freedom.” If you’ve been following my work, you know this is a recurring mantra. If not—buckle up, because it’s about to reshape the way you think about success.
When I started college, I quickly realized my life was fully in my hands. I had to balance work, study, cooking, exercise, and still find time for friends, gaming, and reading. It was a juggling act—until I discovered the importance of building systems that aligned with my goals.
I experimented with everything: time blocking, the Pomodoro Technique, the Eisenhower Matrix, cutting out distractions, learning to say no—you name it. These strategies helped me become more efficient, turning me into an A student and a reliable employee. But all those methods shared a common core: discipline.
Around this time, I stumbled upon the teachings of Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL Commander who knows how to handle tough missions. His principle—Discipline Equals Freedom—resonated deeply. In his book Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual, he lays out the truth: to reach your biggest goals, you need discipline. It’s the what ties together your health, finances, family, learning, and career.
That principle sank in when I weighed 135 lbs and decided to become an elite runner. At first, it felt impossible. I needed medical help to get healthier, and I trained relentlessly for my first half-marathon. On days I wanted to quit, I’d remember Jocko’s words: “Discipline equals freedom.” Over time, I ran beyond anything I ever thought possible—qualifying for the Boston Marathon, finishing an ultra, coaching others to do the same.
Every achievement came down to one brutal truth: self-discipline. Some days I “didn’t have time,” other days I “didn’t feel like it.” But if the goal mattered, I had to make time. That’s discipline.
Discipline won’t magically fix every problem; sometimes you’ll need to adjust your approach or reset your goals. That’s healthy. But if you anchor yourself with discipline, you’ll find the same wisdom that legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi once shared: “If you know the way broadly, you will see it in everything.”
That’s the secret. You’ll notice how discipline fuels your ambitions in work, life, and family. It might not guarantee instant success, but without it, you’ll never even get close.
So what does freedom look like? Freedom from regret. Freedom from debt because you’ve reined in your spending. Freedom from unhealthy habits that weigh you down.
It starts with one small challenge. Maybe it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Turning down the donut in favor of something healthier. These tiny moments of discipline reveal deeper reserves of strength—reserves you can channel into every corner of your life. Eventually, you’ll look back at the person you once were and see how far you’ve come. You’ll have broken the chains of your old limitations. That is true freedom.
So start today. Show yourself what you’re made of. Because in the end, discipline isn’t just a rule—it’s the key that unlocks everything else. And that’s the kind of freedom worth fighting for.
Keep Getting After It,
Brett
P.S. – If you want to hear it from the man himself, check out his book.