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The Illusion of Freedom (and the Discipline That Destroys It)
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“The truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery.
Those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them.”
— Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
When you think of freedom, does it mean quitting your job? Or making more money? Or being able to work from anywhere? Pressfield — channeling Socrates — offers a deeper truth: You are only as free as the habits, thoughts, and behaviors you’ve mastered. Not the ones you dream about. The ones you practice — consistently. The Hidden Door to Real FreedomLet’s be honest: self-mastery isn’t sexy. It doesn’t look good on social media. There’s no instant dopamine hit when you sit down to write the thing, build the project, or resist the urge to scroll. But here’s the paradox: The more you choose short-term comfort, the more you give up long-term freedom.
The more you train yourself — to focus, to act, to be intentional — the freer you become.
Most people think “discipline” is restriction. But it’s the opposite. Discipline is access. Access to your potential. Access to your values. Access to yourself — unchained from distraction, addiction, and external control. Who’s Governing You Right Now?If you’re not governing your time… is the algorithm? If you’re not governing your energy… is someone else deciding where it goes? If you’re not choosing your path… are you just following the easiest one laid out in front of you? Freedom without self-mastery isn’t freedom. It’s chaos. A Challenge (For You and Me)This isn’t a motivational moment. It’s an invitation. What’s one area of your life where you’ve let go of the wheel? Reclaim it. Not with a massive overhaul, but with a daily choice:
You don’t have to master everything today. But you do have to start governing something — or something else will govern you. If this struck a chord, forward this to someone who could relate or feel free to reply — I’d love to hear how you define real freedom. We’re all figuring it out, one decision at a time. Until next time, Matt P.S. For weekly deep dives, make sure to check out my newsletter Mitten Dad Minute, and get your free SHINE worksheet. |
The ApParent Solopreneur: The Organized Mayhem of Family Life
I'm a entrepreneur, blogger, and parent who loves to talk about business & entrepreneurship, parenting & relationships, and health & wellness, self care, productivity and more! Subscribe and join the journey with over 1,000+ newsletter readers every week!
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