No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline

Lesson 1- Importance of Self-discipline

We often wonder what makes some people more successful than others. Well, for starters, we must identify that these successful people are the ones who refrain from saying "someday" and get on with their work. Almost 80 per cent of the people live thinking and fantasizing about what they could achieve and not act to do something about it. Get off this “someday island” and start working your way to success. We need to remember that it is the losers who make excuses; winners make progress.

It is a widely accepted notion that one quality that is vital for success is self-discipline. It is vital to a great life and ensure success. Discipline enables you to resist the urge to make excuses for not performing. It is not about the materialistic gains one makes in life. It is more about the quality of person one becomes that is necessary to accomplish success in life. And the development of self-discipline will guarantee you such successes in life.

Self-discipline is an essential component for achieving greatness. It has magical properties that can guarantee radical transformation in one's life. Self-discipline allows you to reach the maximum limit of one's potential and talents. The power of self-discipline is such that if one lacks it, even the educated and those from affluent backgrounds will find it hard to go beyond mediocrity. Lack of self-discipline is a major cause of failure, frustration, and underachievement. 

People often tend to take the path of least resistance. That means to choose the easy way out in every case possible. These people are shortcut takers who seek quick schemes to get rich and easy money options. These people eventually develop a habit to opt for the easier way, rather than striving hard to achieve success. Related to the concept of ‘least resistance’ is a concept of expediency factor. It suggests that people seek easier and faster options, have little to no bother about the long term consequences of their behaviours. These people choose what is expedient, fun and easy instead of what is necessary for success. 

Self-discipline is all about self-mastery, where you master control over your emotions and desires. People who fail to gain such control over themselves turn out to be weak and unreliable. An important aspect of self-discipline is self-control. Self-denial is a significant aspect of self-discipline as well. Self-denial requires you to resist easy options and strive for things that are essential for success. Self-gratification requires you to put off minor short-term pleasures to enjoy greater pleasures in life. The ability to think for the long term is a skill and