Self-discipline: the Foundation of Productive Living Good afternoon, today's lecture is about self-discipline which serves as the foundation of productive living. Yet many who read books and blogs on this topic for the purpose of getting things done say they have trouble implementing these tools and becoming more productive. Don't worry. No system for keeping your email under control will help you on its own. No tips for budgeting will ever help you on their own. The main problem for those who struggle with pure productivity is not being able to understand and learn systems, but a lack of self-discipline to begin with. What's self-discipline? It is often described as a muscle, something that becomes stronger the more you work with it. In essence, having self-discipline from a productivity point of view is having the ability and motivation to just do it.