🧠 The 1% Don’t Have More Willpower — They Have This
Most people burn out trying to force their way forward. The ones who keep going? They’re guided by something deeper.
Lately, I’ve been feeling tired.
Not just tired like I didn’t sleep enough.
I mean the kind of tired that slowly builds up when you're doing all the things you said you'd do, but it still feels like too much. Like the weight keeps growing, even though you’re checking the boxes.
I’ve kept my routines. I’ve stayed consistent. I’ve shown up.
But there’s this heaviness under everything.
A quiet kind of exhaustion that doesn’t go away with a nap or a day off.
And no, it’s not because I’m slacking.
It’s not about being unfocused or lazy.
And definitely not about willpower. That’s never been my approach.
What’s keeping me going — what’s keeping me connected — is intentionality.
When Discipline Starts to Feel Heavy
You can have structure. You can have your time blocked, your goals clear, your habits in place, and still feel off.
Still feel like something isn’t clicking.
That’s when discipline becomes mechanical.
Like you're just going through the motions.
And if you’re not careful, it turns into something you serve, instead of something that helps serve you.
But that’s not what discipline is supposed to be.
At least not the kind I believe in.
To me, real discipline isn’t about forcing yourself to push through at all costs.
It’s about knowing when to pause. When to breathe. When to ask:
“Is this still aligned with what I care about?”
That question is everything.
Because sometimes the answer is going to be yes. In that case, remind yourself: you’re just tired. But to achieve your goals you got to keep going, and this too will pass.
Sometimes, more often than not, the answer will be no.
If that happens, it’s time to step back and realign.
That’s not weakness. That’s strength.
That’s Adaptable Discipline.
When You’re Tired for a Reason
There’s a big difference between being tired because you’re doing too much of the wrong thing, and being tired because you’re doing something that matters.
When you’re disconnected from your purpose, exhaustion feels heavier. It turns into resentment. It makes you want to walk away.
But when you’re aligned, even if you’re tired, it’s different.
There’s a kind of peace that comes with knowing you chose this.
You’re not just tired. You’re building something.
That makes all the difference.
So if you're feeling like this, ask yourself:
Am I tired because I’m lost, or because I’m becoming?
If it’s the second one, breathe. Regroup. But keep going.
And if it’s the first one, don’t panic. Just pause. Reflect. Adjust.
That’s the work.
A Bit of Science, Because It Helps Ground Things
Burnout is real. And it’s not about willpower.
It’s not about needing to “try harder.”
It’s what happens when your energy keeps going out but never circles back in.
When your effort disconnects from your values.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a reduced sense of accomplishment1.
But here’s the thing: research shows that having a strong sense of purpose makes a difference. A big one.
One study found that people who see their work as meaningful are way more resilient under pressure. They still get tired, but they don’t spiral as easily. Because their energy has a direction. It’s not wasted2.
Purpose doesn’t remove the struggle.
It makes it make sense.
So yeah, sometimes you don’t need more rest, you need more alignment.
You need to remember why it matters.
Self-Awareness Isn’t Enough
This part is important.
A lot of people talk about self-awareness like it’s the whole answer. And it’s not.
Self-awareness helps you see things. It shows you where you are, what’s off, what needs to change.
But intentionality?
That’s what actually moves you.
It’s what helps you make better choices when you're low on energy.
It’s what keeps you from numbing out, falling into distractions, scrolling your time away.
It’s what says, “Okay, I see the gap… now I’m going to cross it.”
Self-awareness shows you the mirror.
Intentionality walks you through the door.
Someone Who Lived This Fully: Leonardo da Vinci
If we’re talking about intentional living, I always think about da Vinci.
He has always been an inspiration. At first I believed it was because my dad always talked to me about how much of a genius he was.
But no.
It’s not just because he was talented.
But because he lived with direction. He didn’t just let his curiosity drift, he followed it with purpose.
He studied anatomy, light, engineering, art — not for approval or fame — but because understanding mattered to him. Deeply.
He once said:
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
That’s what I admire. Not his genius. His intentionality.
The way he kept returning to the work. The way he created a life aligned with what he valued.
That’s what I’m aiming for, not perfect execution. Just honest alignment.
So… What Helps Me Stay Aligned When I’m Tired?
These aren’t hacks. They’re just small things that help me come back to myself:
1. I ask myself one question at night:
“Did I live today in a way that reflects who I want to become?”
It’s not about judgment. Just about staying honest.
2. I revisit my Why Stack (literally, it’s a three-part reminder)
When I feel off, I come back to this simple mental model I use:
The Why Stack.
It’s made of three layers, like steps:
At the bottom is WHY – the deep reason I care about any of this
In the middle is MOTIVATION – the emotional driver that keeps me in motion
On top is GOAL – the outcome I’m working toward
Let me show you what mine looks like lately:
WHY: I want to show my kids what discipline really looks like
MOTIVATION: I believe discipline is a form of self-respect
GOAL: Build something I actually believe in
When I lose clarity or get tired, I don’t just look at the goal. I go back down the stack.
Because if the why is clear, the rest makes sense again.
3. I reflect once a week, no pressure
Every Sunday, I give myself space to ask:
What felt off this week?
What energized me?
What needs to shift?
That’s it. No optimization. Just reflection. Just presence.
4. I shrink the task but keep the promise
This one saves me all the time.
Some days I don’t have the energy to write a full article. So I write a paragraph.
Some days I don’t want to cook. So I cook something simple just to get it out of the way.
What matters is showing up, even if it’s small.
That’s discipline too.
Final Thought
I’m still tired. But I’m okay with that.
Because I know this tiredness is connected. It’s not wasted. It’s not random.
It’s part of the process of building something that matters to me.
And that helps.
So if you’re feeling stretched thin, here’s what I’d ask you:
Are you tired because you’re off track?
Or because you’re on it?
If you’re on it, keep going.
And if you’re not, pause, reflect, and return.
That’s what Adaptable Discipline is really about.
Not perfection. Not hustle.
Just remembering why it matters, and continuing anyway.
Have a wonderful week!
🧭 Come Back to Who You're Becoming
You're not here to consume.
You're here to shift.
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World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/burn-out/en/
Britt, T. W., Adler, A. B., & Bartone, P. T. (2001). Deriving benefits from stressful events: The role of engagement in meaningful work and hardiness. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 6(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.6.1.53
Wonderful article Camilo! Thank you!^_^
Makes so much sense 💪👏🙂