Discipline is Underrated

What do gyms and record stores have in common? A very simple (yet criminally overlooked) lesson from sports can change your vinyl game completely...

Photo by Hümâ H. Yardım on Unsplash

If you know a thing or two about me, you’ll know working out is a huge part of my life.

I’m not telling you this to show off, although some of you didn’t hold back when I asked, in my survey, what would you like to see more of? (Yep. I kid you not).

Well, for what it’s worth, it’s reassuring to know OnlyFans could be an option if this whole vinyl writing thing doesn’t take off… (lol).

Disc JOCKey

Now, seriously, I lift 5 times per week, and a lot heavier than you would expect considering my height and body weight.

My two “rest” days are at least an hour of intense swimming per week, plus another day of absolute rest, which I force upon myself to avoid injuries and as recommended by my trainer and friend Michael (hi Mike if you’re reading this).

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Basically, when I’m not working, browsing or spinning records… or sleeping, you’ll find me at the gym (hotel gym if travelling).

But what does this have to do with vinyl?

Disc… ipline

The most important benefit of being a gym rat and a vinyl lover —other than being able to carry full-loaded vinyl boxes up and down the stairs— is discipline.

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A while back I wrote about the habits that make a successful collector. Crucial among them is browsing more than you buy. If you’re only going to do one thing…

But why?

I’m inquisitive by nature, so let’s break it down.

Seeing what is available, how often, where, at what price, and in what conditon is fundamental if you are to make informed decisions.

Browsing gives you the knowledge you need to build a valuable and enjoyable collection without breaking the bank. It helps you assess your opportunity cost in a world where records and resources are scarce.

Practice makes perfect

Two aspects of discipline are relevant here.

The most obvious one is delayed gratification. No one wakes up with a burning desire to lift their own body weight for an entire hour, just like no one wants to see their favourite records and not buy any.

No one wants to sweat like a pig after a busy day at work, just like no one wants to leave the record store empty-handed.

(Not naturally, at least. The itch comes later, when you start to see the benefits).

This is what most people understand by discipline: restraint. Prioritising your goals over your whims.

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There’s a second —and arguably more important— aspect of discipline, though: perseverance. The ability to form habits.

How often do you browse? How many hours per week? What’s your browsing routine? How do you structure your browsing workouts?

If you struggle to find definitive answers to these questions, you’re either not browsing enough, or not doing it properly… or both.

The method

As a rule, I browse at least thirty minutes every day.

Discogs is a great place to start, as you can narrow your search to items already in your wantlist.

This should be your minimum: you need to constantly monitor the availability and price fluctuations of the records you want.

At least twice a month, I visit physical stores and make a point of not buying anything.

I generally buy records once a month (combination of online and in-store). You can be sure I have a very good idea of what is a bargain and what I should skip. I make exceptions for the really “unmissable” cases.

Unmissable, you said?

If you don’t have a browsing method or routine, how can you know what is truly unmissable?

You can’t really tell a good deal from a bad one if you don’t have a sufficiently vast and up-to-date frame of reference.

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Find a browsing routine that works for you: once a day, week, or month… and stick with it. You’ll thank me later.

Thoughts, ideas, confessions? Wanna see my sixpack? (jk). See you in the comments!

Thanks for reading/listening. Happy spinning!