Discipline: Achieving Success Through Consistent Actions

In the years of studying spirituality and human development, KTGA has witnessed numerous cases of both success and failure. One thing KTGA has come to clearly understand is that success does not come from sudden leaps but from small, persistent actions, and most importantly, discipline. But why is discipline so crucial? Is it just a simple “habit,” or is it a core factor that helps us get closer to our dreams and live a fulfilling life?

Thinking Creates Action, Action Creates Habits, Habits Sustained by Discipline

KTGA has observed many successful people in life and work, and they all share one common trait: a clear mindset, strong discipline, and healthy habits. Every change starts with mindset. Positive thoughts and clear goals will lead to action. However, action without repetition, without being sustained, will only result in temporary bursts. It is the repetition, day after day, that transforms actions into habits. And if these habits are maintained over time, they will shape a disciplined individual.

Once you develop good habits, you will realize that maintaining discipline becomes natural. This doesn’t mean that challenges will not arise, but it means you know how to face and overcome them. In a study by Dr. Charles Duhigg from Yale University, he pointed out that the formation of habits depends not only on persistence but also on your ability to maintain discipline in the smallest of moments. Every time you do not neglect the small actions, you are creating significant change.

The Effectiveness of Maintaining Discipline and the Consequences of Lacking Discipline

When you maintain discipline, you are building an organized life with clear direction. One obvious example is in the global stock market. Legendary investors like Warren Buffett and Ray Dalio always emphasize the importance of discipline in investing. They do not invest based on emotions or market trends but patiently stick to their established strategies, regardless of how volatile the market may be.

According to a study from Harvard University, individuals who maintain discipline in investing have a significantly higher success rate compared to those who lack patience and are easily distracted. Discipline in investing is not just about tracking the market, but about sticking to a long-term investment strategy and avoiding hasty decisions during times of market volatility.

Conversely, when lacking discipline, individuals are more likely to be swayed by fleeting emotions, leading to poor decisions. In the stock market, this is particularly evident when investors become tempted by short-term fluctuations and try to “chase” unsustainable opportunities. As a result, these decisions can lead to substantial losses and missed long-term opportunities

How to Maintain Discipline

Maintaining discipline is not an easy task, especially in a world full of temptations and distractions like today. However, KTGA believes that if you apply the right methods, you can build a solid foundation for discipline and, from there, achieve long-term goals. Below are some detailed ways to help you maintain discipline in both work and life:

1. Define Clear Goals and Core Values

Before you can maintain discipline, the first thing you need to do is define your goals and your core values. These values will act as a guiding compass, helping you make decisions and direct your actions.

Goals are not just something you want to achieve, but they are the reason you wake up every day to put in the effort. For example, in the field of stock investing, your goal could be to build a long-term portfolio, staying committed to stocks with solid foundations, instead of chasing short-term “waves.” You cannot maintain discipline if you don’t fully understand why you are doing it.

Once you have clearly defined your goals, decisions related to how you use your time and resources will become easier. This helps you stay away from distractions and make sound decisions.

2. Break Down Tasks and Create a Reasonable Schedule

One important factor in maintaining discipline is knowing how to break down tasks. KTGA has observed that when we set large goals without breaking them down into specific actionable steps, we easily feel overwhelmed and lose motivation.

Try doing this: instead of setting a goal like “I will become good at stock investing,” you could break that down into more specific goals such as “I will read 2 books about investing in one month” or “Each week, I will analyze at least 5 stocks.” When tasks are broken down, you’ll find it easier to maintain discipline every day.

Additionally, creating a reasonable and feasible schedule is also extremely important. You can’t do everything at once, nor can you be too stressed with an overly packed schedule. Create a schedule that suits your life and work, while also ensuring time for rest and recharging. For example, in stock investing, you could set aside a fixed time each week to review the market, analyze stocks, and reassess your investment strategy.

3. Block Time and Limit Disruptions

Distractions are the greatest enemy of discipline. When you’re focused on a task or a goal, any interruption can reduce effectiveness and extend the time it takes to complete it. To maintain discipline, you need to block time for important tasks and limit distractions.

A simple way is to block off time slots in your calendar for priority tasks. For example, if you are a stock investor, you could dedicate from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM every day to research the market and update information on the stocks you’re following. During this time, make sure no calls or messages interrupt your focus. Research from Stanford University has shown that when a person is interrupted, it takes about 25 minutes to return to their initial state of focus, so minimizing disruptions is very important.

4. Practice Regularly and Persistently

Discipline cannot be maintained overnight. You need to practice regularly and keep up positive habits every day. Persistence is the key to building sustainable discipline. KTGA recalls a conversation with a successful investor who shared that to maintain discipline, he didn’t need continuous motivation but just needed to continue performing the right actions, even without strong external stimuli.

Get into the habit of reflecting on your work after each day. A simple way is to ask yourself, “What did I do today to move closer to my goal?” These self-reflection questions will help you assess your progress and drive discipline throughout the journey.

5. Build Habits and Reward Yourself

An essential part of maintaining discipline is creating positive habits. These habits help you take action without overthinking. KTGA has seen many people fail to achieve their goals not because of a lack of ability, but because they lack habits. They cannot maintain discipline for the long term because their actions do not become a natural part of their lives.

Moreover, rewarding yourself after every success, even if small, is a great way to maintain motivation. You can treat yourself to a nice meal after a week of hard work, or enjoy a relaxing evening after a month of diligent learning. This helps you feel proud of yourself, which motivates you to continue maintaining discipline in the days to come