Blog + Diamonds
VIDEO SUMMARY
Crush Your Goals: Essential Steps to Discipline Mastery
Hey there, hustlers! Ever felt like you’re hustling hard but not seeing the results you crave? 🤔
Well, buckle up, ’cause we’ve got something juicy brewing for you! 🤩
Picture this: You’re stuck in the daily grind, wondering why some folks seem to effortlessly crush their goals while you’re barely keeping your head above water. 😩
But fear not, because we’ve uncovered the secret sauce to turn your hustle into gold! 💰✨
It’s all about one magical word: DISCIPLINE. Yep, you heard that right! 🎩
Discipline isn’t just about forcing yourself to do stuff; it’s about creating a life where success becomes second nature. 💪
Imagine unlocking the power to conquer your fears, smash your goals, and live life on your own terms! 🚀
With a sprinkle of discipline, you can transform those dreams into reality faster than you can say “coffee break”! ☕️
So, if you’re ready to ditch the excuses, level up your game, and join the ranks of the unstoppable, then buckle up, buttercup! 🌈✨
Stay tuned ’cause we’re about to drop some serious wisdom bombs that’ll revolutionize the way you hustle! 🚀💥
#UnlockYourPotential #HustleHard #DisciplineIsKey
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understanding the Importance of Discipline
Description:
Recognize the pivotal role of discipline as the bridge between thoughts and accomplishments, inspiration and goals, and necessity and productivity.
Implementation:
- Acknowledge that discipline serves as the conduit between various aspects of life, enabling the translation of intentions into tangible outcomes.
- Understand that discipline is essential for consistent progress and success in both personal and professional endeavors.
Specific Details:
- Realize that discipline is not merely a desirable trait but a fundamental necessity for achieving long-term goals and fulfilling potential.
- Reflect on how discipline influences every aspect of life, from daily habits to major achievements.
Step 2: Developing Awareness of the Need for Change
Description:
Embrace a conscious awareness of the necessity for discipline and the changes required to attain desired outcomes.
Implementation:
- Assess your current habits and behaviors honestly to identify areas where discipline is lacking.
- Determine what changes are necessary to align your actions with your aspirations.
Specific Details:
- Be honest with yourself about areas where you may be falling short in terms of discipline, such as procrastination or inconsistency.
- Visualize the desired outcomes of improved discipline to reinforce your commitment to change.
Step 3: Cultivating Willpower and Consistency
Description:
Cultivate the determination and consistency required to maintain newfound discipline deliberately.
Implementation:
- Develop a strong sense of willpower to resist temptations and distractions that may hinder progress.
- Establish a consistent routine or schedule to support disciplined actions on a daily basis.
Specific Details:
- Practice self-control and resilience when faced with challenges or setbacks, reinforcing your commitment to disciplined behavior.
- Create a structured environment that promotes consistency, such as setting specific times for tasks and adhering to deadlines.
Step 4: Committing to Mastery of Daily Circumstances
Description:
Commit to mastering daily circumstances by seizing opportunities and leveraging both favorable and unfavorable situations.
Implementation:
- Embrace a proactive mindset that views challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Take deliberate actions to capitalize on positive opportunities and mitigate the impact of setbacks.
Specific Details:
- Approach each day with a sense of purpose and determination to make the most of every opportunity.
- Adapt to changing circumstances with resilience and flexibility, maintaining focus on long-term goals despite temporary setbacks.
Step 5: Harnessing the Power of Small Wins
Description:
Recognize the significance of small victories in building discipline and fostering a positive mindset.
Implementation:
- Celebrate even the smallest achievements as indicators of progress and commitment to discipline.
- Use the momentum from small wins to fuel motivation and reinforce disciplined behavior.
Specific Details:
- Acknowledge the cumulative impact of consistent effort and incremental improvements over time.
- Cultivate a mindset that values progress over perfection, appreciating each step forward on the journey toward greater discipline and success.
Step 6: Embracing Change and Direction
Description:
Embrace the transformative power of disciplined habits to redirect the trajectory of your life toward desired outcomes.
Implementation:
- Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement, recognizing the potential for positive transformation through disciplined action.
- Align your actions with your long-term goals and aspirations, focusing on the direction you want to pursue.
Specific Details:
- Understand that disciplined habits have the power to alter the course of your life, leading to significant personal and professional growth.
- Stay committed to your chosen path despite challenges or obstacles, trusting in the process of continuous improvement and self-discovery.
Step 7: Recognizing the Components of Willpower
Description:
Understand the elements that contribute to human willpower and its role in achieving a fulfilling life.
Implementation:
- Acknowledge that human willpower is fueled by inspiration, desire, reason, and intelligence.
- Recognize the interplay between these components and their influence on guiding actions towards desired outcomes.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on how inspiration ignites the desire for achievement, while reason and intelligence provide the framework for informed decision-making.
- Understand that a balanced combination of these elements is essential for maintaining focus and perseverance in pursuing goals.
Step 8: Understanding the Role of Discipline in Attracting Opportunities
Description:
Grasp the relationship between discipline and the attraction of opportunities, driven by ambition and skillful action.
Implementation:
- Comprehend how disciplined behavior creates favorable conditions for attracting opportunities.
- Realize that ambition and skillful action serve as catalysts for capitalizing on opportunities facilitated by discipline.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on how disciplined individuals are more likely to notice and seize opportunities due to their proactive mindset and consistent effort.
- Understand that disciplined action enhances one’s ability to capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges effectively.
Step 9: Harnessing the Power of Commitment
Description:
Leverage the unlimited potential of commitment as a driving force behind disciplined action.
Implementation:
- Embrace the concept of commitment as a powerful motivator for sustained effort and progress.
- Cultivate a mindset that prioritizes consistency and dedication in pursuing goals.
Specific Details:
- Understand that commitment fuels perseverance and resilience in the face of obstacles, enabling individuals to stay focused on long-term objectives.
- Recognize the transformative impact of unwavering commitment in shaping behavior and achieving desired outcomes.
Step 10: Practicing Intelligent and Positive Thinking
Description:
Engage in intelligent and positive thinking to counteract negative influences and cultivate a disciplined mindset.
Implementation:
- Develop the habit of intelligent thinking by assessing situations objectively and making informed decisions.
- Foster a positive mindset by reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on setbacks.
Specific Details:
- Practice mindfulness to remain aware of negative thought patterns and actively challenge them with rational and optimistic perspectives.
- Cultivate resilience by embracing failures as valuable learning experiences and maintaining confidence in your ability to overcome obstacles.
Step 11: Embracing Continuous Improvement
Description:
Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement to refine disciplined habits and achieve ongoing success.
Implementation:
- Commit to ongoing self-reflection and evaluation to identify areas for improvement and refine disciplined practices.
- Embrace feedback and adapt your approach accordingly to optimize effectiveness and efficiency.
Specific Details:
- Establish a feedback loop by regularly assessing the results of your disciplined actions and adjusting your strategies as needed.
- Embrace a growth mindset that values learning and adaptation, recognizing that mastery of discipline is a lifelong journey.
Step 12: Integrating Self-Discipline into Daily Life
Description:
Integrate self-discipline into every aspect of daily life to unlock its full potential and reap the rewards of consistent effort.
Implementation:
- Make self-discipline a priority by incorporating it into daily routines and decision-making processes.
- Develop strategies to overcome resistance and maintain consistency in disciplined behavior, even in challenging circumstances.
Specific Details:
- Create a supportive environment that fosters self-discipline, such as establishing clear goals, setting realistic expectations, and removing distractions.
- Practice self-regulation by prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and adhering to commitments, fostering a sense of accountability and achievement.
Step 13: Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Description:
Adopt a growth mindset that embraces challenges, values effort, and views setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth.
Implementation:
- Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and development, recognizing that resilience and perseverance are essential for success.
- Cultivate a belief in your ability to improve through effort and experience, reframing setbacks as temporary obstacles on the path to mastery.
Specific Details:
- Embrace a mindset of curiosity and exploration, seeking out new experiences and challenges to expand your skills and knowledge.
- Foster resilience by reframing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, maintaining a positive outlook even in the face of adversity.
Step 14: Recognizing Procrastination and Its Consequences
Description:
Understand the detrimental effects of procrastination and its opposition to disciplined action.
Implementation:
- Acknowledge procrastination as the tendency to delay or avoid tasks despite knowing the potential negative consequences.
- Recognize that procrastination undermines productivity, delays progress, and fosters a cycle of inefficiency.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on past instances of procrastination and their impact on your goals and well-being.
- Understand that procrastination hinders personal and professional growth by perpetuating a cycle of avoidance and missed opportunities.
Step 15: Understanding the Power of Discipline in Overcoming Procrastination
Description:
Grasp the transformative role of discipline in overcoming procrastination and fostering productive behavior.
Implementation:
- Understand that discipline provides the necessary framework for overcoming procrastination by instilling a sense of purpose and accountability.
- Recognize discipline as the antidote to procrastination, enabling individuals to take immediate action and stay focused on their goals.
Specific Details:
- Internalize the mindset shift from procrastination to disciplined action, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing tasks and adhering to deadlines.
- Embrace discipline as a guiding principle for making decisions and allocating time effectively, minimizing the temptation to procrastinate.
Step 16: Developing Self-Awareness and Accountability
Description:
Cultivate self-awareness and accountability to identify and address patterns of procrastination.
Implementation:
- Practice introspection to recognize triggers and underlying reasons for procrastination.
- Hold yourself accountable for your actions and decisions, taking ownership of your behavior and its consequences.
Specific Details:
- Keep a journal or log to track instances of procrastination and analyze common patterns or triggers.
- Set specific goals and deadlines to foster a sense of accountability and motivation for overcoming procrastination.
Step 17: Implementing Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination
Description:
Utilize practical strategies and techniques to combat procrastination and promote disciplined action.
Implementation:
- Break tasks into smaller, manageable components to reduce overwhelm and increase motivation.
- Use time-blocking or scheduling techniques to allocate dedicated time for tasks and minimize distractions.
Specific Details:
- Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency, tackling high-priority items first to prevent procrastination.
- Use accountability tools or accountability partners to stay on track and maintain focus on goals, providing support and encouragement when needed.
Step 18: Cultivating a Bias Towards Action
Description:
Cultivate a bias towards action by adopting a proactive approach to tasks and projects.
Implementation:
- Embrace the mindset of “do it now” to counteract the tendency to procrastinate and delay action.
- Focus on taking small, consistent steps towards goals, emphasizing progress over perfection.
Specific Details:
- Practice the 2-minute rule: if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately rather than putting it off.
- Develop a habit of initiating tasks as soon as they arise, minimizing the opportunity for procrastination to take hold.
Step 19: Embracing Discipline as a Way of Life
Description:
Integrate discipline into every aspect of life, fostering a culture of accountability and productivity.
Implementation:
- Commit to making disciplined choices in daily routines, habits, and decision-making processes.
- Embrace discipline as a fundamental value, prioritizing consistency, responsibility, and perseverance in pursuit of goals.
Specific Details:
- Create a supportive environment that reinforces disciplined behavior, such as establishing routines, setting clear goals, and seeking accountability.
- Cultivate resilience and determination to overcome setbacks and challenges, maintaining focus on long-term objectives despite obstacles.
Step 20: Reflecting on Progress and Adjusting Strategies
Description:
Regularly assess progress and adjust strategies as needed to maintain momentum and sustain disciplined behavior.
Implementation:
- Reflect on achievements and challenges, identifying areas for improvement and refinement.
- Adapt strategies and approaches based on feedback and outcomes, optimizing effectiveness and efficiency.
Specific Details:
- Schedule regular check-ins to review goals, assess progress, and make any necessary adjustments to plans or priorities.
- Embrace a growth mindset that views setbacks as learning opportunities, remaining flexible and open to change in pursuit of continued growth and success.
Step 21: Recognizing the Consequences of Procrastination
Description:
Acknowledge the negative impact of procrastination on productivity and personal growth.
Implementation:
- Understand procrastination as the habit of delaying tasks despite knowing the adverse effects.
- Recognize the long-term consequences of procrastination, such as missed opportunities and decreased effectiveness.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on past instances of procrastination and their consequences to internalize the importance of overcoming this habit.
- Consider how procrastination hinders progress towards long-term goals and contributes to feelings of dissatisfaction.
Step 22: Embracing Discipline Over Instant Gratification
Description:
Understand the value of discipline in achieving long-term success and fulfillment.
Implementation:
- Recognize discipline as the key to overcoming procrastination and achieving meaningful goals.
- Shift focus from immediate gratification to long-term satisfaction by prioritizing disciplined action.
Specific Details:
- Practice delaying immediate gratification in favor of disciplined behavior that aligns with long-term objectives.
- Cultivate a mindset that values consistency and perseverance over short-term pleasure.
Step 23: Developing Self-Discipline Through Small Wins
Description:
Start building self-discipline by mastering small habits and tasks.
Implementation:
- Identify small habits or tasks that contribute to personal improvement and well-being.
- Commit to consistently practicing and mastering these small disciplines to build self-discipline gradually.
Specific Details:
- Create a list of small tasks or habits that can be easily incorporated into daily routines, such as making the bed or exercising for ten minutes.
- Focus on mastering one small discipline at a time, celebrating each accomplishment to reinforce positive behavior.
Step 24: Managing Distractions and Maintaining Focus
Description:
Implement strategies to minimize distractions and stay focused on tasks.
Implementation:
- Identify common distractions and develop strategies to minimize their impact on productivity.
- Create a conducive environment for focused work by eliminating distractions and establishing clear goals.
Specific Details:
- Set specific time blocks for focused work and limit access to distractions such as social media or unnecessary notifications.
- Practice mindfulness techniques to stay present and maintain concentration on tasks, redirecting attention when distractions arise.
Step 25: Prioritizing Tasks and Goals
Description:
Prioritize tasks and goals based on importance and alignment with long-term objectives.
Implementation:
- Evaluate tasks and goals to determine their significance and relevance to overall success.
- Allocate time and resources according to priorities, focusing on high-impact activities that contribute to long-term growth.
Specific Details:
- Use techniques such as Eisenhower’s Urgent/Important matrix to categorize tasks and prioritize them accordingly.
- Regularly review and adjust priorities as circumstances change, ensuring alignment with evolving goals and objectives.
Step 26: Building Consistency and Persistence
Description:
Cultivate consistency and persistence in pursuing disciplined behavior.
Implementation:
- Establish routines and habits that reinforce disciplined action, making it easier to maintain consistency over time.
- Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities and persevere in the face of challenges to reinforce disciplined behavior.
Specific Details:
- Set realistic expectations and avoid perfectionism, focusing instead on incremental progress and continuous improvement.
- Develop resilience to overcome obstacles and setbacks, maintaining a positive attitude and mindset in pursuit of long-term goals.
Step 27: Reflecting on Progress and Adjusting Strategies
Description:
Regularly assess progress and adapt strategies to optimize effectiveness and efficiency.
Implementation:
- Reflect on achievements and challenges to identify areas for improvement and adjustment.
- Modify strategies and approaches as needed based on feedback and outcomes, ensuring ongoing growth and development.
Specific Details:
- Schedule regular checkpoints to review progress and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies.
- Embrace a growth mindset that values learning and adaptation, remaining open to change and refinement in pursuit of disciplined behavior.
Step 28: Celebrating Successes and Maintaining Motivation
Description:
Celebrate achievements and milestones to reinforce disciplined behavior and motivation.
Implementation:
- Acknowledge and celebrate successes, no matter how small, to reinforce positive habits and behaviors.
- Use positive reinforcement and rewards to maintain motivation and momentum in pursuing disciplined action.
Specific Details:
- Set milestones and benchmarks to track progress and celebrate achievements along the way, providing motivation to continue.
- Cultivate a supportive network of friends, family, or colleagues to share successes and receive encouragement, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
Step 29: Continuing Personal Growth and Development
Description:
Commit to ongoing personal growth and development through continuous learning and self-improvement.
Implementation:
- Embrace a lifelong learning mindset, seeking opportunities for growth and development in all areas of life.
- Pursue personal and professional development goals with dedication and enthusiasm, remaining open to new experiences and challenges.
Specific Details:
- Engage in activities such as reading, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship to expand knowledge and skills, fostering personal growth and development.
- Set ambitious yet achievable goals for self-improvement, challenging yourself to continuously strive for excellence and fulfillment.
Step 30: Inspiring Others Through Your Example
Description:
Inspire others to cultivate discipline and overcome procrastination through your own actions and achievements.
Implementation:
- Lead by example by demonstrating disciplined behavior and perseverance in pursuit of your goals.
- Share your experiences and insights with others to encourage them to embrace discipline and pursue their own paths to success.
Specific Details:
- Be transparent about your journey and the challenges you’ve overcome to inspire others to take action and pursue their aspirations.
- Offer support and guidance to those who seek to develop discipline and overcome procrastination, serving as a mentor and role model in their journey to personal growth and achievement.
Step 31: Recognizing the Importance of Taking Action
Description:
Understand the significance of taking proactive steps towards success and fulfillment.
Implementation:
- Acknowledge the tendency of many individuals to procrastinate or delay taking action.
- Reflect on the consequences of inaction, such as missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
Specific Details:
- Consider the difference between those who take action to pursue their goals and those who hesitate or procrastinate.
- Recognize that motivation alone is insufficient without disciplined action to translate intentions into results.
Step 32: Identifying Personal Barriers to Action
Description:
Identify internal barriers and limiting beliefs that hinder progress towards success.
Implementation:
- Reflect on personal attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that may impede taking decisive action.
- Identify specific fears, doubts, or excuses that prevent proactive behavior and goal pursuit.
Specific Details:
- Consider common barriers such as fear of failure, perfectionism, or a lack of confidence in one’s abilities.
- Examine past experiences or conditioning that may contribute to a reluctance to take risks or step outside comfort zones.
Step 33: Cultivating a Mindset of Initiative and Agency
Description:
Develop a mindset that prioritizes initiative, agency, and responsibility for one’s own success.
Implementation:
- Shift focus from external factors or circumstances to personal agency and control over outcomes.
- Embrace a proactive approach to goal setting and achievement, taking ownership of actions and decisions.
Specific Details:
- Practice reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, empowering yourself to take decisive action.
- Cultivate a sense of personal responsibility for shaping your future and creating the life you desire, regardless of external circumstances.
Step 34: Setting Clear Goals and Priorities
Description:
Establish clear goals and priorities to guide focused action and decision-making.
Implementation:
- Define specific, measurable goals that align with your values, aspirations, and vision for success.
- Prioritize goals based on their importance and relevance to long-term fulfillment and achievement.
Specific Details:
- Break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps to facilitate progress and maintain momentum.
- Regularly review and refine goals to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with evolving priorities and aspirations.
Step 35: Creating a Plan of Action
Description:
Develop a strategic plan of action to translate goals into tangible outcomes.
Implementation:
- Identify key tasks, milestones, and deadlines necessary to achieve each goal effectively.
- Create a structured action plan outlining specific actions, resources, and timelines for implementation.
Specific Details:
- Utilize tools such as to-do lists, calendars, or project management software to organize and track progress towards goals.
- Anticipate potential obstacles or challenges and develop contingency plans to address them proactively.
Step 36: Implementing Consistent and Disciplined Action
Description:
Commit to consistent and disciplined action in pursuit of goals and objectives.
Implementation:
- Establish daily habits and routines that support progress towards goals, making disciplined action a priority.
- Overcome procrastination and resistance by cultivating a mindset of perseverance and determination.
Specific Details:
- Set specific time blocks or dedicated periods for focused work on priority tasks, minimizing distractions and interruptions.
- Hold yourself accountable to high standards of discipline and productivity, celebrating small victories and milestones along the way.
Step 37: Seeking Support and Accountability
Description:
Seek support from mentors, peers, or accountability partners to maintain discipline and motivation.
Implementation:
- Surround yourself with individuals who share similar goals and values, providing encouragement and motivation.
- Establish regular check-ins or accountability meetings to review progress, share challenges, and celebrate successes.
Specific Details:
- Join peer groups, mastermind communities, or accountability partnerships to exchange ideas, resources, and support.
- Be open to constructive feedback and guidance from mentors or experienced individuals who can offer valuable insights and perspective.
Step 38: Evaluating Progress and Adjusting Strategies
Description:
Regularly assess progress towards goals and adapt strategies as needed to optimize effectiveness.
Implementation:
- Monitor key performance indicators and metrics to track progress towards goal achievement.
- Review outcomes and results periodically, identifying areas for improvement and adjustment in your approach.
Specific Details:
- Reflect on successes and setbacks, extracting lessons learned and insights to inform future actions and decisions.
- Remain flexible and adaptable in your approach, willing to pivot or change course as necessary to stay aligned with goals and objectives.
Step 39: Maintaining Motivation and Momentum
Description:
Sustain motivation and momentum by celebrating achievements and staying focused on long-term vision and purpose.
Implementation:
- Celebrate milestones and accomplishments, recognizing the progress made towards achieving your goals.
- Reconnect with your intrinsic motivations, values, and aspirations to sustain enthusiasm and commitment.
Specific Details:
- Cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on gratitude, optimism, and resilience in the face of challenges or setbacks.
- Visualize the fulfillment of your goals and aspirations, harnessing the power of imagination and visualization to stay motivated and inspired.
Step 40: Continuing Growth and Development
Description:
Commit to ongoing growth and development by embracing lifelong learning and self-improvement.
Implementation:
- Pursue opportunities for personal and professional development, seeking out new knowledge, skills, and experiences.
- Cultivate a growth mindset that values curiosity, experimentation, and continuous
improvement.
Specific Details:
- Invest in educational resources, workshops, courses, or mentorship programs that expand your knowledge and expertise.
- Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, leveraging adversity to build resilience and character.
COMPREHENSIVE CONTENT
The Bridge Between Thought and Achievement
The bridge between thought and achievement, one the bridge between thought and achievement. If there’s one magical word that stands out above all, it’s discipline. Discipline is the bridge between thought and achievement, between inspiration and goal, between necessity and productivity. Remember, all good things are found upstream of us. The passage of time drifts us away, and drifting only brings us the negative. Disappointment and failure. Failure isn’t a catastrophic event. Usually, it’s not the result of a major incident, but rather a long list of accumulated small failures. If your goal requires you to write 10 letters today and you only write three, you’re missing seven letters. If you want to make five calls and only make one, you’re missing four calls. If your plan requires you to save $ today and you save nothing, you’ve lost $.
The danger is looking at an undisciplined day and concluding that no great harm has been done, but add up these days to form a year, and then add up those years to form a lifetime, and it becomes evident how repeating today’s small failures can easily turn your life into a big disaster. Success, on the other hand, is the same process in reverse. If you plan to make 10 calls and end the day having made 15, you’ve gained five calls. You can see the huge difference such things could make in a year, and the wealth and achievements that await you throughout your life. Discipline is like a set of magic keys that can open all the doors to wealth, happiness, culture, high self-esteem, pride, joy, achievement, satisfaction, and success.
Keys to Discipline
The first key to discipline is awareness of the need and value of discipline, especially discipline to make necessary changes. What will it take? What do I need to do and become to get everything I want out of life? The second key is willpower. More than that, it’s the desire to maintain your new discipline deliberately, wisely, and consistently. The third key to discipline is the commitment to mastering the circumstances of daily life, to see and seize opportunities to take advantage of the good and what comes in the form of misfortune.
Discipline does many things, but most importantly, it shapes your thinking. It makes you feel better about yourself. Even the smallest discipline can have an incredible effect on your attitude and the good feeling that comes, the growing self-esteem that arises. Starting a new habit is almost as good as the feeling that comes from the achievement that discipline brings. A new habit immediately alters the course of your life. You don’t change your destination immediately, that’s yet to come. But you can change direction immediately, and direction is very important. Discipline cooperates with nature. Everything strives. It’s a common life function. How tall will a tree grow? As tall as it can. Everything strives to become all it can be, and that’s what discipline is about, striving to reach.
Unleashing Our Natural Potential
Our natural potential to become all we can be, human will in action driven by inspiration, attracted by desire, tempered by reason, guided by intelligence, can take you to that elevated place called the good life. Discipline attracts opportunities that are always drawn to ambition and skill in action. Discipline harnesses the unlimited power of commitment. Discipline are those unique steps of intelligent thought and activity that curb temper and promote courtesy, develop the positive and control the negative, foster success and deter failure, shape lifestyle and control frustration, enhance health and curb diseases, promote happiness and manage sadness. Discipline is the continuous process, the foundation for achieving a good life, bringing all good things.
Remember, anyone can initiate the process. It’s not “If I could, I would,” rather it’s “If I wanted, I could, if I want, I can.” So, start the process. Begin a new habit, no matter how small. The size doesn’t matter; the only thing that matters is whether you start or not, and whether you continue or not. A spiral of achievements.
What is the foundation for achieving a good life? It’s not learning to set goals, it’s not learning to manage your time better, it’s not mastering the attributes of leadership. Every day in a thousand different ways, we try to overcome by learning how to do things. We spend our whole life gathering knowledge in classrooms, in textbooks, in experiences. And if knowledge is power, if knowledge is the precursor to success, why don’t we reach our goals? Why, despite all our accumulated knowledge and experiences, do we find ourselves aimlessly wandering, settling for a life of existence instead of a life of significance?
There could be many answers to this question. Your answer may be different from everyone else’s. While there may be many answers to this question, the ultimate answer may be the lack of discipline in applying our knowledge. It really doesn’t matter how smart you are if you don’t use your knowledge. It really doesn’t matter if you graduated Magna cum laude if you’re stuck in a poorly paid job. It really doesn’t matter if you attend every seminar that comes to town if you don’t apply what you’ve learned. We spend our lives gathering knowledge, gathering skills, gathering experiences, but we must also apply the knowledge, skills, and experiences we accumulate in the realms of life and business.
We must learn to use what we’ve learned, and once we’ve applied our knowledge, we must study the results of that process and refine our approach. Finally, by testing, observing, refining, and trying again, our knowledge will inevitably produce worthy and admirable results. And with the joy and results of our efforts, we continue to fuel our ambition with the positive reinforcement of continuous progress. Soon enough, we will find ourselves being drawn into a spiral of achievements, a vertical ascent towards success, and the ecstasy of that total experience contributes to a triumphant life over tragedy, boredom, and stagnation.
Overcoming Mediocrity through Self-Discipline
But for this whole process to work for us, first, we must master the art of constant self-discipline. Constant self-discipline is needed to master the arts of goal-setting, time management, leadership, parenting, and relationships. If we don’t make constant self-discipline part of our daily lives, the results we seek will be sporadic and hard to reach. It takes constant effort to truly manage our valuable time. Without it, we will be constantly frustrated; our time will be devoured by others whose demands are stronger than ours.
Discipline is needed to conquer the persistent voices in our minds—the fear of failure, the fear of success, the fear of poverty, the fear of a broken heart. Discipline is needed to keep trying when that annoying voice inside us suggests the possibility of failure. Discipline is needed to admit our mistakes and acknowledge our limitations. The voice of the human ego speaks to all of us sometimes. That voice tells us to magnify our worth or our accomplishments beyond our actual results. It leads us to exaggerate, to not be entirely honest.
Be sure of one thing: any exaggeration of the truth, once detected by others, destroys our credibility. It makes everything we say and do suspect. As soon as a business colleague realizes that we tend to exaggerate, guess what? They’ll think we always exaggerate, and they’ll never hold us in the same regard again. The tendency to exaggerate, distort, or even hide the truth is inherent in all of us. It starts when we’re children—”Johnny says I didn’t do it.” Well, maybe Johnny didn’t do it, but he probably had something to do with it. And it continues into adulthood—exaggerating the benefits of a product to make a sale, exaggerating our net worth to impress old friends, exaggerating how close we are to closing a deal to impress the boss. Only a total and disciplined attack can overcome this tendency.
It takes discipline to change a habit because once habits are formed, they act like a giant cable, an almost unbreakable instinct that only disciplined, long-term activity can change. We must unravel the cable of habits slowly and methodically until the cable that once kept us captive becomes nothing more than scattered threads of wire.
Consistent application of a new, more desirable discipline is needed to overcome another that is less desirable. Discipline is needed to plan, to execute our plan, to objectively evaluate the results of our applied plan, and to change our plan or our method of executing that plan if the results are poor. Discipline is needed to stand firm when the world throws opinions at our feet, and discipline is needed to reflect on the value of another person’s opinion when our pride and arrogance lead us to believe that we alone have the answers.
With this constant discipline applied to every area of our lives, we can discover countless miracles and uncover unique possibilities and opportunities. The rewards for a disciplined existence are immense.
Discipline is a constant awareness of the need to act along with a conscious effort to implement that action. If our awareness and implementations occur simultaneously, then we begin a valuable sequence of disciplined activity. But if a considerable amount of time passes between the moment of awareness and the moment of our
Overcoming Procrastination with Discipline
That’s called procrastination—putting off until tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is almost exactly the opposite of discipline. The voice inside us says, “Do it.” Discipline then says, “Do it now, the best you can.” Always listen to this voice, and the habit will become instinctive. Procrastination says, “Later, tomorrow.” Whenever I have the chance, it also says, “Do whatever it takes to get by or impress others. Do what you can, but not what you should.” In every circumstance we face, we are constantly presented with these two options: do it now or do it later, discipline or procrastination, the fruit of achievement and satisfaction or living with the bare branches of mediocrity.
The rewards of a disciplined life are excellent but often delayed until some future time. The rewards for lack of discipline, on the other hand, are immediate but minor compared to the immeasurable rewards of constant self-discipline. An immediate reward for lack of discipline is a fun day at the beach. A future reward of discipline is owning the beach. Unfortunately, most of us would prefer today’s pleasure to tomorrow’s fortune.
So how can you rid yourself of easy distractions? How can you keep your mind on what you’re trying to accomplish? How can you maintain an attitude of doing it all and doing it now? How can you choose discipline over procrastination? How can you stay focused on your ambitions? How can you avoid conversations at the water cooler? You can keep your focus on your work. You can do it today instead of tomorrow. You can socialize when you’ve finished your work. You really have to work on your constant self-discipline daily; otherwise, you’ll be distracted—distracted by negative thoughts, distracted by negative people, distracted by water cooler chatter—and very soon, depending on the type of people you associate with, you’ll be distracted by doubts.
Never underestimate the power of influence and associations, and never underestimate the power of your own constant self-discipline. Improving the quality of your life starts with the small things and works up to the big ones. Let me give you some keys to discipline: start with the small things and work up to the big ones. The small things are minor things you can do to improve your life and feel better about yourself. Make a list of them. Life will present you with some pretty big challenges, but unless you practice the small ones and master them, you won’t stand a chance with the big ones.
A man leaves his house to go fix a corporation and still hasn’t fixed his garage. Who is he kidding? So work on all disciplines, both small and large, that will improve your quality of life. And here’s an important thought: everything affects everything else. Every lack of discipline affects all the other disciplines. Erroneously, the man says, “This is the only area where I failed.” It’s obvious that’s not true. Every failure, no matter how small, affects the rest of your performance. Now, here’s the positive side: every new discipline affects all the other disciplines. Every new thing you try affects the rest of your performance. Isn’t that exciting? So start with every small discipline you can think of. You can’t believe what it’ll do for your self-confidence.
Remember, the greatest obstacle to success is lack of self-confidence. And lack of self-confidence comes from not doing what you could do. Then comes self-motivation. That’s really the only kind of motivation there is. Jim Rohn once said, “I was asked once, ‘Mr. Rohn, are you one of those American motivators?’ I said, ‘I’m not a motivator. I’m a businessman. I can share my ideas and experiences, but people have to motivate themselves. People have to motivate themselves.’ I’ve found that you can’t change people. They can change themselves. But you can’t change them. God knows I’ve tried. In those early days, I had a big group of salespeople. I said, ‘I’m going to make them successful if it kills me.’ Guess what? You can’t do it. Good people are found, not changed. If you want good people, you have to find them. That’s the best answer I can give you. If you want motivated people, you have to find them, not motivate them.” The first rule of management is this: don’t send your ducks to eagle school. Why? Because it won’t work. I’ve tried everything. Not long ago, I bought a magazine in New York that had a full-page ad from a hotel chain. The first line of the ad said, “We don’t teach our people to be nice.” That caught my attention. The second line said, “We simply hire nice people.” I thought, what a shortcut. Motivation is a mystery. Why are some people motivated and others aren’t? Why does one salesman see his first potential customer at 7:00 in the morning while another sees his first potential customer at 11:00? Why would one start at 7:00 and the other at 11:00? I give speeches to 1,000 people at a time. One leaves and says, “I’m going to change my life.” Another leaves yawning and says, “I’ve heard all this before.” Why is that? Why aren’t both affected equally? The rich man says to 1,000 people, “I read this book, and it got me started on the road to wealth.” Guess how many of the 1,000 go out looking for the book? Very few. Isn’t that incredible? Why don’t they all go out looking for the book? To one person, you have to say, “You better slow down. You can’t work that many hours. You can’t do that many things. You’re going to have a heart attack and die.” And to another person, you have to say, “When are you going to get off the couch?” What
‘s the difference? Why wouldn’t everyone strive to be rich and happy? So be motivated. Don’t give that job to someone else. The guy says, “If someone would just come by and motivate me.” Hey, if they don’t show up, you’d better have a better plan for your life. You have to have discipline.
