Discipline will take you far

25 Sep
2016

One of the hardest habits to form is discipline, especially self-discipline. Discipline is the ability to do the right thing we no one is looking. Self-discipline refers more to your ability to motivate yourself to do what is needed without being prompted by others. Self-discipline is quite challenging, but also very rewarding. In so many ways the difference between someone who is “good at something” and someone who is “great” at the same task is simply a matter of discipline.

Discipline means doing the work

There is a widely held myth in our current culture that you can use shortcuts or hacks to gain success quickly. Many weight loss products and get rich schemes are built on this false premise. Stupid people work hard and take the long path. Smart people work smart and take the short cut. Is it possible to find more efficient ways to achieve a goal? Yes – absolutely. Leverage best practices and learn lessons from experts so that you avoid missteps. But, I caution you when it comes to following advice that replaces hard work with some other path to success. I have tried some of these shortcut techniques with mixed results at best.

Start with desire – do you want it?

To achieve greatness you must first, desire it, and secondly, and more importantly, you must have the will power to act out this desire. Planning will only get you so far, it is the execution of your plans that will determine your level of achievement. Execution means work, and work requires discipline. One will not happen without the other. Therefore, if you can master the art of self-discipline, you will go far in life. Otherwise, the status quo will become both your current reality and your realistic future.

Knowing is not enough,
We must apply.
Willing is not enough,
We must do.

Bruce Lee

I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to sons.

22 thoughts on “Discipline will take you far

  1. I do consider all of the ideas you’ve offered to your post.
    They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for starters.

    May you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.

    1. Thanks for the feedback. Originally I kept all the posts short on purpose, but am starting to write longer ones. I hope you enjoy them.

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