SECRETS OF SUPER ACHIEVERS

Paradox of freedom
      'No man is free who is not master of himself'
       ~Epictetus

      This is a quote derived from the book that has resonated deep within me. I read this book with the aim of learning what needs to be done in order for me to achieve success. I was particularly interested in the chapter that talked about discipline. One of the main reasons many of us fail to achieve success is because we lack the consistency to do what needs to be done when it should be done. Human beings are creatures of habit. One destructive habit repeated consistently becomes innate and it takes an incredible amount of effort to break out of the habit. Similarly, it takes the same amount of effort to develop and grow a necessary habit. Discipline broods consistency and this consistency gives us a momentum which is fuel to success. Getting into the right mindset every day is always a challenge to most people. The possibility of distractions is endless. It takes a strong individual to conquer his mind to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done.

      It is quite obvious that discipline is paramount if you want to be exceptional in all your undertakings. So, why is it then that some people fall short of success? It is one thing to be aware of something and another to practice it. To know and not do is not to know at all. Just because you are aware that discipline is crucial, does not mean that you are disciplined. Life is a series of pain and pleasure. The order in which the two facts of life are dealt with determines the destiny of your life. A disciplined individual schedules life in such a way that the pain is dealt with first in order to enhance pleasure later. If it was easy, everyone would be successful. The most brilliant minds can go untapped because of lack of this essential characteristic. The difference between a dreamer and a go-getter is action.

      Building a foundation based on discipline will require sacrifice, diligence and persistence. Decide on what it is that you would like to change and determine the steps that you need to take to get to where you want to be. Start applying discipline in one aspect of your life, whether it is fitness, diet, education or punctuality and this will inevitably consume your whole being. This process can take a substantial amount of time to be mastered and it might be discouraging when you do not see the results immediately. It should be at the back of your mind that good things take time. Your speed is not important. As long as your moving, you are still lapping everyone on the couch. The key to discipline is a sense of destiny. Do not lose sight of your end goal. Remember, no one ever reached any eminence, and no one having reached it, ever maintained it, without discipline.