Why Are We So Bad at Discipline? And How Reclaiming It Could Change Everything
From reusable cups to carbon cuts, we know what to do — but we’re not doing it. Is it a willpower problem or something deeper?
Discipline. It’s the one thing we know separates those who get results from those who just talk about them. Study after study shows that consistency and effort are among the top predictors of success — not talent, not luck, not even intelligence. According to research, people who are in the top 5% of performers in any field are often not the most gifted — but the most committed. They show up even when it’s boring, hard, or inconvenient.
So why is it that most of us — knowing full well what’s best for our health, our planet, and our future — still keep falling off the wagon?
The Reusable Cup Paradox: A Case Study in Collective Backsliding
Take this simple example: pre-COVID, you couldn’t walk into a London café without seeing reusable coffee cups lined up at the counter. People were making the switch — proudly. It was easy, visible, and it felt like we were making progress.
Fast forward four years, and that cultural momentum seems to have dissolved. Disposable cups are back with a vengeance. Plastic lids. Single-use containers. Iced oat matchas in plastic that could have easily been in a personal tumbler. The small, conscious choice that once felt powerful now feels forgotten.
This isn’t just about coffee. It’s a metaphor for a wider regression. Despite more climate awareness than ever, carbon emissions are climbing. Fast fashion is booming. TikTok hauls are bigger than ever. And even though 73% of people surveyed globally say they “care deeply” about the planet, our actual behaviours tell a different story.
Why Is Discipline So Hard — Even When We Care?
We often think of discipline as a character flaw — either you have it, or you don’t. But what if the issue isn’t about grit, but about disconnection?
We’re living in an age of abundance and convenience, where almost every discomfort can be bypassed. We don’t have to cook. Or walk. Or repair. Or wait. We can swipe, order, and scroll — instantly gratified, always entertained.
In this environment, discipline feels like deprivation. Why not choose the easy way? Why deny ourselves when the whole system is designed to reward speed, consumption, and comfort?
But here’s the rub: when our waists expand, our bins overflow. Our carbon footprints explode. And collectively, we live far beyond the planet’s boundaries — consuming resources 1.7 times faster than Earth can regenerate them.
The Missing Link: Reconnection Over Restriction
Here’s the truth most “discipline hacks” miss: discipline isn’t punishment. It’s not self-denial. At its best, discipline is a form of love. A reconnection with what truly nourishes us — in our bodies, our minds, our communities, and our ecosystems.
Think of someone who’s lost weight and kept it off joyfully. Chances are, they didn’t just force themselves through willpower. They changed their relationship with food. They found joy in cooking. They stopped outsourcing nourishment. They got curious about ingredients. They felt more alive, not less.
That’s the version of discipline we rarely talk about — the one rooted in meaning, values, and connection.
From Consumption to Consciousness: The New Discipline
If we want to tackle climate change, fast fashion, plastic waste, or even personal health, we need to reframe what discipline means. It’s not about going without. It’s about tuning in.
Discipline becomes easier when:
We slow down enough to notice our choices
We connect the dots between action and consequence
We feel empowered, not shamed, by small daily decisions
We rebuild routines that align with what we value — not what we’re sold
This is the shift from consumer mode to creator mode. From reacting to intentionally responding.
So How Do We Start?
We can begin by asking new questions:
What am I choosing out of habit, and what am I choosing out of intention?
What would it feel like to reintroduce one nourishing ritual into my day?
Can I turn a chore (like grocery shopping or gym time) into a moment of care or connection?
How can I make my sustainability choices feel good, not guilt-driven?
Small steps matter. A reusable cup. A cooked meal. A mindful purchase. A daily walk. These aren’t just behaviours — they’re building blocks of a more disciplined, joyful, and sustainable life.
The Real Reward of Discipline? Freedom.
Here’s the paradox: while discipline can feel limiting in the short term, over time it gives us something we all crave — freedom. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from regret. Freedom from being pulled in every direction by a system that profits when we consume without thinking.
The top 5% aren’t superhuman. They’ve just reclaimed their attention. Their time. Their relationship with what matters.
And we can too.