Self-Discipline for Tedious, Boring, and Difficult Things

the more immersed you are and the fewer distractions you indulge in, the quicker the work goes and the less tired you feel.

None of us can control the fact that there are some annoying tasks and obligations we’re required to do in life, but we can control how we do those things and the way we think about them.

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” —Carl Sandburg

Being engaged in deep work can feel great—and procrastinators are sometimes surprised by just how much they can do once they’ve gotten started. But resist the temptation to do just five more minutes, even if you’re feeling really engaged.

he entire system falls apart if you’re muddling through your work with half a brain or thinking about all the things you’re going to do while you’re supposed to be relaxing.

“Time is the coin of your life.

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” —Carl Sandburg

that gets you all the reward with none of the effort. Instead, it’s about the conscious, mature use of the effort you do have, and the skillful use of your innate freedom to choose.

No book on this planet can grant you a successful and accomplished life with no effort. But this book perhaps offers something a little better: proven strategies for making sure that the effort you do spend is done so in as smart, strategic, and efficient a way as possible.

If you’re ready to start taking control where it matters, read on. All that’s required is the willingness to take ownership of your experience, to push a little past your comfort zone, and to try something new.

None of us can control the fact that there are some annoying tasks and obligations we’re required to do in life, but we can control how we do those things and the way we think about them.

None of us can control the fact that the world is distracting, chaotic, and demanding, but we can control what we pay attention to, what we say no to, and how we manage our path through those distractions.

Being disciplined is not about having an easy life or finding some kind of lifestyle cheat

So, while none of us can control the fact that there are always twenty-four hours in a day, we can control how we use those hours.