You Don’t Need Less “Gedoe” —You Need More Discipline

Ever noticed how “it’s complicated” often means “we didn’t think it through”? That’s “gedoe”. Not a Dutch word you use every day, but one you’ve definitely felt—mess, hassle, drama. And more often than not, it’s a sign of something more profound: a lack of professional discipline.

You don’t solve “gedoe” with more meetings, longer emails, or a new tool. Those are symptoms, not solutions. What you need is clarity, accountability, and just enough structure to prevent chaos without becoming rigid.

Being Clear

Discipline isn’t about being strict or boring. It’s about being clear on what good looks like, showing up consistently, and making fewer exceptions because you already made better decisions. You don’t have to check every box—you have to check the right ones every time.

“Gedoe” happens when expectations are unclear, roles are blurry, and follow-through is optional. Discipline makes work smoother, not harder. It’s deciding once how something should be done and sticking to it, instead of deciding five times and still improvising.

Ask what is missing

Next time you feel stuck in drama, don’t ask what went wrong. Ask where the discipline was missing. Was the goal vague? The process sloppy? The ownership unclear? That’s where gedoe begins—and where it can end, too.

Professional discipline doesn’t kill creativity. It makes space for it. It clears out the mess so you can focus on what actually matters.