Self-discipline is key to success
Many people want to achieve a lot but very few are prepared to travel on the long journey to success. Some start the journey but it just takes a single steep hill, deep waters or rocky grounds for them to give up the journey that can potentially lead to a spot where they can possibly realise their goal. No significant success or achievement comes by without going through some challenges. Being uniquely talented or gifted is necessary but not a sufficient requirement for brilliance. It is only by painfully conquering the challenges you meet on the journey of achievement that true success can be realised.
In fact, according to Dr. Scott Peck, a leading American psychiatrist of the 20th Century, people who enjoy life and those who find life easy are those who quickly acquire a system of dealing constructively with the pain of problem-solving – instead of avoiding that pain, in such a way that all life’s problems can be solved. The face rather than run away from problems.
According to his book entitled “The Road Less Travelled”, that system of techniques is discipline and it comprises of four basic techniques: delaying gratification, assumption of responsibility, dedication to the truth or reality and balancing. Discipline is basically the means of human spiritual evolution.
A lot of young men and women are struggling with achievement and success because the world of ‘immediacy’ and ‘instancy’ is at variance with the fundamental fabric of discipline – delayed gratification. “If I can as well have joy now, why delay it?”, is the kind of logic that lands many young people into problems. Many people today are used to instant messaging and watching Western Television 20 hrs a day. Most of these people develop the digital urgency that is not only unhealthy but also impractical.
This practice often creates the falsehood that big things can come by easily and instantly. That one can become a millionaire over night and billionaire in weeks. That they can all become superstars in a day. And that falsehood is compounded by modern some of the modern ‘preachers’ that focus their homilies on how to make quick money and how to achieve big success over night. All this does not nurture the culture of discipline.
Discipline gives one the sense of judgement required to think deep and long before saying anything. One good thinker once said “It’s better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.” Discipline entails the patience to delay certain practices until one becomes of the appropriate age or gains the necessary resources to sustain particular enjoyment. Disciplined students, for example, will most probably avoid alcohol until they graduate from university or college. At work, disciplined employees will use company time for work only and only do personal things early in the morning, at night, during weekends, on holidays and when they take leave.
True achievers will set their targets high and work towards realising their goals. True achievers are those that have the discipline to plan their work and to work their plan. Discipline is essential for guaranteeing success in what is fast becoming an exotic world where all fundamentals are quickly falling apart. To stand apart, one needs to delay gratification, assume responsibility, dedicate themselves to truth and reality and that they master the skill to balance many conflicting demands in life – the four elements of discipline. Master the four pillars of discipline, practice the four fundamentals of discipline and embed them into your life, then you will surely achieve all the goals that you embark on! This is the sure way to rise and shine.
