Harnessing self-discipline through McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y

A student’s journey to excellence

 As I sit at my desk, under the soft glow of my study lamp, flipping through the final pages of yet another dense textbook, I find myself confronting not just information, but something far deeper — my attitude toward the work. Am I driven by fear of failure or by a quiet belief in my ability to grow? This question brought me face-to-face with McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y, two contrasting views on human motivation that have reshaped not just

how I study, but how I see myself.

Douglas McGregor, a management theorist, proposed Theory X and Theory Y in the 1960s. He wasn’t thinking of students, but of workers and managers. Yet, in his work, I found a mirror. Theory X assumes that people inherently dislike work, avoid responsibility and must be controlled or threatened to achieve goals. Theory Y, on the other hand, is the more optimistic twin — it sees people as naturally motivated, capable of self-direction and driven by inner ambition.

Initially, I realised I had been living under the shadow of Theory X. My study routine was dominated by deadlines and dread. I needed alarms, reminders and even a sense of guilt to get things done. But deep inside, a voice whispered — You’re more than this. That’s when I began shifting toward a Theory Y mindset: one where discipline comes not from external pressure, but from internal clarity and purpose.

To live through Theory Y is to believe in self-discipline as an act of freedom, not force. It’s the difference between dragging myself out of bed because I have to study and rising with the thought that every page turned is a step closer to who I want to become.

This mindset shift was neither sudden nor easy. I began by redefining my relationship with discipline. I stopped seeing it as punishment. Instead, I viewed it as alignment—the alignment of my actions with my aspirations. To succeed in high-calibre written tests and interviews, I had to stop chasing motivation and start building systems of behaviour. It wasn't about feeling ready. It was about being ready.

1. Setting clear intentions

Theory Y tells us that people seek meaning in their work. As a student, this meant turning my study sessions into intentional practices. Before each session, I asked myself: Why am I doing this? Not in a grand, philosophical way, but in a practical, present way. For example: I’m revising this topic so I can answer it confidently in the test and later explain it during an interview.

This clarity turned even the dullest chapters into stepping stones and I no longer needed pressure to begin.

2. Building autonomy through structure

McGregor believed that when given autonomy, people rise to the challenge. So, I gave myself structure — not imposed from outside, but chosen by me. I designed my timetable, set my own goals and tracked my own progress. This act of choosing gave me ownership and ownership bred responsibility.

Self-discipline doesn’t mean saying “yes” to work all the time — it also means saying “no” to distractions, to over commitments, to comparison. It means respecting the space I’ve carved for growth.

3. Transforming failure into feedback

One key aspect of Theory Y is the belief that people are capable of learning and improvement. Instead of fearing mistakes, I started to analyse them. Every mock test I failed wasn’t a judgment — it was a lesson. I treated each incorrect answer like a message: Here is where you need to grow. This feedback loop turned fear into fuel.

4. Preparing for interview mindset

Interviews, especially high-stakes ones, demand not just knowledge, but confidence, presence and authenticity. Theory Y shines here — it is built on the assumption that people are self-aware, driven and capable of self-control. Walking into an interview, I reminded myself: I am not here to impress; I am here to express who I am and what I have worked for.

This mindset reduced anxiety. I was no longer performing. I was simply being — being a version of myself that had been crafted through consistent, disciplined effort.

5. Internal motivation as a lifelong habit

As days turned into weeks and weeks into exam season, I saw the results—  not just in grades or interview callbacks, but in my sense of self. I no longer needed someone to supervise me or a looming exam to scare me into action. The discipline had become internalised. I wasn’t studying for the test. I was studying for the person I was becoming.

McGregor’s Theory Y had offered me a radical gift: belief. Belief that I am naturally inclined to grow, to strive, to succeed — if only I trust myself enough to commit. It taught me that the most powerful discipline is not enforced, but chosen.

Conclusion

In the end, McGregor’s theory isn’t just a management framework. It’s a lens to understand ourselves. Theory X might get us started, through pressure and fear, but only Theory Y can sustain us. For students like me striving for excellence, especially in competitive written tests and interviews, this mindset is not optional. It is essential.

Self-discipline, I’ve learned, is not about suppression. It’s about liberation. It’s about setting ourselves free from procrastination, from fear, from the myth that we need to be pushed. Because when we finally believe that we are capable, we stop waiting and we begin becoming.