The Power of Discipline: Why Direction Matters More Than Speed

Discipline, Deep Work, and the Long Game

Recently, my manager left our team. He was personable and good at what he did, but he felt his career would continue better elsewhere. I understand his reasons, but his departure made me reflect on something bigger: what about us, and what about our careers?

This season for me is about working with depth. Writing blogs like this helps me stay focused for at least 45 minutes at a stretch. It’s not about quick wins; it’s about doing the hard things repeatedly until they become habits. And when I zoom out to think in terms of the next five years rather than the next five days, perspective returns. A failure here or there doesn’t define me. What counts is continuous, meaningful work.

Why Deep Work Matters

When things around us feel uncertain, one of the best anchors is deep work. Block 4 hours a day for uninterrupted, focused effort. Even if it feels tough, even if you don’t see instant results—sit at the crease, like in cricket, and face the deliveries. Progress compounds over time.

Cal Newport talks about multiscale planning: quarterly, weekly, and daily. A quarterly plan (a 3-month horizon) helps you avoid being rattled by short-term failures. Weekly and daily plans then keep you moving toward your bigger goal.

For me, two current quarterly goals are:

• Reaching 70 kg in weight by eating right and training.

• Becoming an expert front-end developer by consistently learning and building.

The key is discipline. When you plan well and stick to it, you won’t rely on random bursts of effort. Confidence grows out of discipline, and skills grow out of confidence.

Discipline = Freedom

The goal isn’t to chase outcomes, it’s to build habits. If you develop the ability to sit down and do the hard things, no one can stop you. Skills become rare and valuable only through consistent effort.

Think small steps, not giant leaps. Don’t just plan to “learn React”, sit down, code, and wrestle with the problems. Boond boond se sagar banta hai. A sea is made of small droplets. Progress in life is no different, it compounds through the small things.

Mindset Matters

Along the way, don’t forget to smile. If you enjoy your work, you’ll naturally deliver better results and tap into creativity. Laugh at failures, stop taking yourself too seriously, and remember: direction is more important than speed.

Chasing promotions or quick recognition is less powerful than becoming a capable, disciplined human being. Do the hard things, share what you learn, and keep moving in the right direction.

Value Through Skills

Ultimately, our work should provide value, to our teams, to the world, and to ourselves. Value comes from mastering rare and valuable skills, from being reliable, from creating and contributing.

Words can inspire, but value isn’t just about words. It can be delivered through your craft, through the relationships you nurture, or even through small acts of reliability.

Final Thought

True success is about aligning discipline, deep work, and long-term direction. It’s about doing meaningful work every day, even when you don’t feel like it. And when you keep at it, confidence, skills, and value naturally follow.

So, the reminder for all of us: don’t chase shortcuts. Build discipline. Play the long game. Provide value. That’s the path to both growth and freedom.