The Importance Of Self Discipline
- Self Discipline must be developed in order to succeed.
- Successful people dislike the same things as you.
- Every time you practice self discipline, you will strengthen it.
In Part 2 you found out what it really takes to succeed, now you will find out how.
What Does It Take To Succeed?
With so many distractions around you, what does it take to stay focused on your goal and keep going until you succeed?
The answer is, Self Discipline. Self Discipline, absolutely must be developed in order to succeed.
What Is Self Discipline?
Self Discipline is the ability to force yourself to do something you know you should do, whether you feel like it or not. Read that sentence again and memorise it.
(if you didn’t read that sentence again, you just did something easy over something that was hard. 90% of people do this.)
Now have a look at this short list. See if you can notice what these people have in common?
Donald Trump
Jay Leno
Margaret Thatcher
Thomas Edison
Napoleon Bonaparte
Any ideas?
They are all famous four hour sleepers!
Whilst you may not have a global corporation or a country to run (and so can probably get away with a few extra hours in bed!) the point is, successful people dislike the same things you dislike, but discipline themselves to do it anyway.
Why do they do things they dislike? Because they know that is the price they must pay for success. This is why self discipline is so important in achieving success.
How To Develop Self Discipline?
Self discipline means overcoming your natural urge to do what is fun, easy and quick. Self discipline takes time to develop but just like any other skill, the more you practice using self discipline the stronger it will become.
Every act of self discipline you practice, will strengthen your level of self discipline. Over time it will also strengthen your character, confidence and self esteem.
Remember, you are competing for success against a population who are mainly lazy, greedy and think only of short term gain.
If you can force yourself to do what you should do, whether you feel like it or not, your success is virtually guaranteed.
Most People Are Not Interested In Self Discipline
Don’t believe me? Have a look at these statistics.
In 1 month of this year, 2,800 people searched for the word ‘self discipline’. Guess how many searched for the word ‘fun’?
200,000!!!!
As you can see, most people are not interested in self discipline. They prefer to engage in actions that satisfy their short term needs, at the expense of long term failure in life. You must therefore be aware of what failures do and make sure you don’t do the same.
Self Discipline Is Important So Pay The Price
Now that you are aware of what it takes to be successful, is success what you truly want? Or are you happier living the life you currently live? Because if you want success, you can have it, anyone can.
Just like in a shop, you must first decide what you want, pay the price, and it will be yours.
“Discipline is the soul of an army, It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all”
George Washington
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August 21st, 2007 at 7:01 am
Wow! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I want to be successful. But what do you do when YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT? I don’t know what I want to do and I’m 45 years old! I’ve spent my life raising kids and now it’s my turn.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Hi Lori, I have just started write about that very subject!
Have a look at this article, I will be adding more to it later today!
http://www.eruptingmind.com/personal-goal-setting/
November 8th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Hey!!! You make me feel guilty about myself and how lazy and self indesciplined I have been.
After this? It’s time to change course!!!!
Thanks
November 9th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Don’t feel too bad Mike! being lazy is actually a common personality characteristic. I wrote more about this in the following article
http://www.eruptingmind.com/characteristic-success/
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Great article. I write about investing and finance at my blog and self discpline is so important when it comes to investing and saving money.
Love the definition….
December 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
this was great information about discipline and its importance in life. thanks!
February 17th, 2008 at 6:32 am
An effective method for developing and improving self discipline, is to perform certain actions or activities, which you would rather avoid doing due to laziness, procrastination, weakeness, shyness, etc. By doing something that you do not like doing or are too lazy to do, you overcome your subconscious resistance, train your mind to obey you, strengthen your inner powers and gain inner strength
March 18th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I am glad to have found your website. Perhaps there are many books talking about all you wrote here ( in the entire website), but no one will go directly to the point like you. Although my main main language is Spanish, I will be very pleased on making an effort for reading all your entire website. Thanks my friend.