The Discipline of Folding

This is going to be a newsletter that no doubt creates a little contraversy. As we all know the only way of achieving anything worth while in life is to fight through the hard times and persist. However there are situations where this mindset is exactly the wrong course of action. Only you will know when you need to use the discipline of folding.

In a world that teaches us persistence is everything, where the common advice is to "never give up," there’s an often overlooked yet powerful concept: the discipline of knowing when to fold. Many successful individuals and businesses have thrived not just because they persisted through hardships, but because they mastered the art of stepping back and recalibrating their approach. This is the essence of the discipline of folding, knowing when to strategically pause, reassess, and realign for future success.

The idea of folding is often associated with defeat, but in reality, folding is a strategic manoeuvre. In poker, for instance, folding doesn’t mean you’re out of the game; it simply means that you’re preserving your resources for a stronger hand. The same principle applies to life and business. There will be times when you recognise that continuing on your current path is not in your best interest, whether due to a lack of resources, knowledge, or the realisation that the odds are stacked against you.

The discipline of folding isn’t about giving up, it’s about knowing when to conserve your energy and recalibrate. It’s about having the wisdom to understand that sometimes, the best way to stay in the game is by stepping away from a losing hand. This allows you to avoid unnecessary losses and regroup with a clearer mind and a better strategy.

Folding requires courage. It’s easy to stay on a course simply because you’ve invested time, energy, and resources into it. But true self-discipline involves recognising when you’re in too deep, when the situation is beyond your current capabilities, and when persisting will only lead to greater losses. It takes self-awareness to admit that a particular approach isn’t working and humility to learn from those experiences.

Much like in poker, folding doesn’t mean that you stop playing the game, it means that you’re positioning yourself for a stronger, more informed comeback. By folding, you give yourself the space to step back, review the bigger picture, analyse the risks and opportunities, and create a new, more effective plan.

One of the most important keys to long-term success is staying in the game, and sometimes, folding is the best way to do that. It’s not just about knowing when to act; it’s about knowing when not to act. The lessons you learn when you fold, whether it’s recognising a flawed strategy, understanding your limitations, or identifying external threats, are invaluable to your growth. In fact, many of these lessons can only be learned through real experience, and often through failure.

Losing, folding, and stepping back are all part of the larger process of education. With each fold, you gain insights that shape your future decisions. Each time you walk away from a losing hand, you get better at recognising patterns and assessing your strengths. Ultimately, these lessons help you make smarter choices when you’re ready to act again.

Mastering the discipline of folding is a critical aspect of self-discipline. The ability to pause, regroup, and recalibrate will almost guarantee better results in the long run. You’ll develop greater self-awareness, which will lead to better decision-making. Over time, this builds confidence and strengthens your sense of control over your life and your outcomes.

When you know you’re in control, your self-esteem grows. Success becomes a product of deliberate actions rather than blind persistence. As you become more strategic in your approach, you’ll naturally want to repeat these behaviours because they produce measurable success.

It’s important to recognise that folding is not synonymous with failure. The discipline of folding is a sign of strength, wisdom, and strategic thinking. It allows you to preserve your resources, learn from your experiences, and come back stronger. Folding is about playing the long game, it's about staying in control, continuously learning, and positioning yourself for future success.