Jon Stojan
Image credit: Craig Ballentyne
Today’s definition of a disciplined person includes rigid 5:00 a.m. wake-up calls, daily ice baths, and long workouts. But what if this “extreme discipline” is actually holding them back from success? That’s what Craig Ballantyne figured out. The Wall Street Journal bestselling author wants to show you the contrarian approach to achieving sustainable success.
The Moment of Truth
Ballantyne has coached thousands of entrepreneurs to scale their businesses without working extreme hours. He’s referred to as “The World’s Most Disciplined Man.” But he wasn’t always this way. Early in his career, he had the grind-and-hustle mindset that led to crippling panic attacks.
“I was doing everything I thought I needed to succeed—working longer hours, sacrificing sleep, and pushing myself to the limit. But it was hurting me more than it was helping me,” Ballantyne says. He details his story in the bestseller Unstoppable. After hitting rock bottom, he pivoted in a way that would forever change his views on discipline.
The Million-Dollar Secret
Ballantyne’s lowest moment led to his signature “Level 10 Principle.” What’s this? “Discipline is not about doing more hard things,” he says. Instead, it’s simply putting a level 10 effort into your level 10 problem and saying “No!” to everything else.”
“Discipline isn’t about doing more things—it’s about doing the right things,” Ballantyne says. His work reveals the dark side of discipline. The problem is that entrepreneurs chase trends and perform rituals that don’t align with their goals. With the assistance of business coach and co-author of The Dark Side of Discipline, Daniel Woodrum, Ballantyne helps clients break free from what they call “perverse forms of procrastination.”
For instance, when one client replaced their rigid morning routine with Ballantyne’s clarity-driven strategies, they were able to zero in on their businesses’ actual pain points. From there, they scaled operations without sacrificing family time.
A New Success Blueprint
As the father of three children under three, Ballantyne applies the same systems to his personal life. “I’m present for my family because I’ve designed my life around what truly matters,” he says.
His coaching programs help clients create balanced lives. Clients discover the freedom to step away from their businesses, spend time with loved ones, and prioritize their health. The upside? They can do it all without stalling their success. These family-first results have inspired Ballantyne to pursue a new mission.
A Greater Vision for Entrepreneurs
“Discipline is not about doing more things. It’s about doing more of the right things.”
Ballantyne’s motto provides direction for his new ambitious goal. He aims to help thousands of entrepreneurs generate billions in wealth. This lofty mission could appeal to those seeking the next rung of success without sacrificing their time, energy, and well-being.
The world is obsessed with doing hard things for appearance, but not Ballantyne and Woodrum. Instead, their book offers refreshing alternatives to traditional approaches to success, showing that a balanced life is the key to sustainable wealth.
The Invitation to Real Discipline
Often, people equate discipline with doing more. However, Ballantyne and Woodrum offer entrepreneurs the true meaning of discipline: matching their efforts to their priorities. This method allows them to achieve more in less time without burnout.
If you’re ready to leave behind the noise of hustle culture and rediscover the freedom to thrive, connect with Ballantyne and Woodrum at craigballantyne.com.