Discipline - The Secret Ingredient of Success

"Discipline is the bridge between goals andirrespective of personal discomfort,
accomplishment."- Jim Rohndisappointments, discouragements or lack of
"Discipline is based on pride, on meticulousself-gratification. A person who is disciplined is
attention to details, and on mutual respect andfocused regardless of the circumstance or
confidence. Discipline must be a habit so ingrainedsituation.
that it is stronger than the excitement of the goalYour internal power or strength needs to be
or the fear of failure." - Gary Ryan Blairdeveloped by discipline. When you learn how to
Discipline is the most crucial factor in accomplishingnot readily succumb to your proclivities and
your goals. If you are undisciplined then do notdesires, you develop your internal capacity to
expect your goals, visions, or aspirations to bechannel the power within you to achieve and
manifested. Discipline is the force which belies,accomplish what you desire. Your mind will be able
drives, and empowers your persistence into focus its attention on achieving your goals
achieving your goals. Discipline is required sincesince it will not be a slave to the baser self's
there will be opposing forces to thedestructive, sabotaging, or addictive habits. This
accomplishment of your goals, visions, andexplains why Frank Herbert states the following:
aspirations. This is because pre-existing systems,"Seek freedom and be captive of your desire.
thoughts, and ideas will almost always resist new,Seek discipline and find your liberty."
cutting-edge, dynamic or innovative ones. It isHere are some tips to developing and maintaining
then up to you, the innovative and creativediscipline:
individual, to have total belief in the new systemWrite a to-do list everyday and try to stick to it.
that you have created and to employ all yourInstead of using credit cards to purchase items
resources, abilities, talents and power towhile at the mall, carry a certain amount of
overcome these obstacles.money with you. This will stop you from over
Discipline is not only important for maintaining drivespending.
or persistence, but it is also important forIf you eat a dessert everyday, try to forgo this
maintaining focus. I have heard that a "talentedcourse for a day or two.
person without discipline is like an octopus on rollerWhen you cultivate discipline or self-control, you
skates." That is because this person, who may beare showing and telling yourself that you love and
talented or intelligent, do not know if he/she isrespect it to the extent that you will reject those
going forward or backward. That person do notthings that it desires, which are destructive and
have the discipline to focus or channel their talentsabotaging to it. This explains why Abraham J.
or intelligence so that he/she can gain the successHeschel stated that "[s]elf respect is the fruit of
or achievement that person desires. Disciplinediscipline; the source of dignity grows with the
allows you to focus on your goals and desiredability to say no to oneself.