Discipline vs Capacity–Know the Difference and Feel the Relief

2025-09-26

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So many of us assume we can’t focus because we don’t have enough discipline, but I’ve found that the real issue is often depleted capacity. Discipline works like a muscle we can strengthen, but capacity depends on the deeper reserves of our nervous system - things like sleep, nutrition, emotions, and recovery. I like to ask myself: which one am I low on right now? And what happens if I try to push through without the fuel to back it up? In this episode, I share how flow neuroscience and my own journey through burnout have shaped the way I think about discipline and ca...

In this episode, I share how flow neuroscience and my own journey through burnout have shaped the way I think about discipline and capacity. I’ll walk you through simple strategies for both - steps that build momentum and restorative practices that bring your energy back - so you can pause and ask the right question before you push: is this a discipline problem, or a capacity problem?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Focus Feels Harder Than Ever

02:19 Discipline vs. Capacity Explained

03:55 Burnout as a Capacity Problem

06:22 What Capacity Really Means

07:25 Flow Cycle and Recovery

07:58 How to Balance Discipline and Capacity

10:07 Practical Strategies to Improve Discipline

15:52 Practical Strategies to Improve Capacity

24:43 The Balance That Prevents Burnout

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