The Two Pains: Discipline vs. Disappointment
On October 12, 2024, during ESPN College Gameday, legendary football coach Nick Saban shared a variation of an old quote when talking about the former No. 1-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide's loss to Vanderbilt last weekend: "My message would be this: You’re going to suffer one of two things in your life. The plain of discipline or the pain of disappointment, if you don’t have discipline.”
As soon as I heard it, I thought about how perfectly this concept applies to bar prep.
When you’re studying for the bar exam, you’re faced with these same two pains. The pain of discipline is the grueling, often monotonous, and relentless work you need to put in every single day of bar preparation . The pain of disappointment is the result of not putting in that work.
Let’s break it down.
The Pain of Discipline
Discipline in bar prep isn’t glamorous. It’s waking up early to watch lecture videos, reviewing flashcards, giving up weekend plans to grind through practice questions, and reading outlines when you’d much rather be doing anything else. It’s about consistency, showing up every day even when you’re tired or burnt out.
But here’s the truth: If you embrace the pain of discipline, you’re doing the work that will protect you from disappointment later.
Here are a few tips to manage the pain of discipline:
✅ Daily Study Goals: Set small, manageable daily goals. Don’t focus on mastering everything at once. Focus on conquering today’s material. See my previous blog post, "Setting SMART Goals" (goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-sensitive.)
✅ The 937 Study Strategy: Use my 937 strategy (9 minutes, 3 times a day, 7 days a week) to study in short, productive bursts. It's an easy way to add another 30 minutes of review each day. It’s less daunting and keeps the material fresh.
✅ Spaced Repetition: Revisit material at regular intervals, which helps improve long-term retention. Discipline isn’t just about quantity; it’s about the quality of your approach.
✅ Accountability: Track your progress. Whether it’s through a study journal, a checklist, or an app, seeing your progress keeps you motivated and disciplined.
Remember, the pain of discipline is temporary. It ends when you walk out of that exam room. But the rewards will last far beyond that moment.
The Pain of Disappointment
The alternative is far worse: The pain of disappointment. The pain of disappointment is what happens when you skip the hard, disciplined work. And the price you pay? It’s much greater than the short-term effort you could have put in during your study sessions.
"My message would be this: You’re going to suffer one of two things in your life. The plain of discipline or the pain of disappointment, if you don’t have discipline.” — Nick Saban
Nick Saban is known for his ability to demand excellence from his players through sheer discipline. That same mentality applies to your bar prep. If you embrace the daily grind, the discomfort, and the sacrifices now, you’ll find that you’ve built the skills and stamina to handle exam day with confidence. And you won't be disappointed later.
