Checkpoints: Discipline

By Behance Team

Discipline is a set of imposed expectations and boundaries that help you keep your energy and time focused on what is most important.

It's important to note that discipline is a defined code of behavior, and while some creatives may find such practices to be stifling, to reach a higher level of productive creativity it is essential to employ praxis which compliment - not hinder - your creative process. It can be as small as clearing off your desk before you work each day or taking scheduled meditative breaks, and as big as planning your day down to the last second. The key is knowing yourself, your boundaries, and integrating discipline into your daily routine in a way that works for you.

Discipline is most effective in the creative community when it is self-imposed and customized to one's work style. However, the power of rationalization must not overpower one's discipline. For this reason, the components of discipline must be articulated beforehand.

Procrastination is a creative killer. Forcing yourself past the status quo will benefit both your work and you personally and if you've disciplined yourself to do so, those moves will be far less intimidating and entirely rewarding. Discipline is an essential tool used in making ideas happen; the application of focused routine will do wonders in all aspects of your life. Studies have shown it takes thirty days to build a new habit-- meaning you could be a month away from taking your work to the next level. Get on it!

Based on the hundreds of interviews conducted by Behance, the team has constructed a "glossary" of the key components for making ideas happen. Together, these are the ingredients for "productive creativity," and our founder Scott Belsky spends a lot of time discussing these principles with creative teams. Explore the Glossary.