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The Freedom of Self-Discipline

Posted By: Randy GageJuly 1, 2009

Most of us hate discipline.  But the truth is, we all need it.  And appreciate it, if we do any serious thinking about it at all.  

I believe nothing truly great comes without self-discipline.  Every symphony composed, every brilliant novel, advances in technology, breakthrough sports achievements and every other extraordinary accomplishment is the result of what preceded it.

And what preceded it is usually something like practice, failure, repetition, or introspection.  All of which take self-discipline.  And that is what separates the people of bold, daring achievements from the masses of mediocrity.

Prince is one of the most mad genius gifted musicians I’ve ever seen.  Albert Pujols does things with a baseball bat that defy logic.  Al Pacino delivers performances that move you to rapture or agony, all in the context of a make believe film.

Now you could argue that each one of these people is blessed with a special gift from God.  Yet I would argue back that they are co-creators of their greatness.  And the trait that developed it was self-discipline.   The ironic truth is, freedom comes from discipline.

So how is yours?  Give that some thought, and check in below.  Then we’ll pick up there on the next post.

-RG

18 comments on “The Freedom of Self-Discipline”

  1. Great post Randy! I just had a conversation this morning with my athletes in this very subject. They asked me why some people are better at sports, and I told them it was all about that persons positive mind and self discipline! I then told them to go home and write down what they want to become and the things they needed to do to get there, the little things. I also told them that if they did not do this they were lacking self discipline! At the end of the training today I asked them what they were going to do when the went home, they all said they were going to make their lists! We will see who did and didn't on Friday.

  2. Thanks Randy. I really needed to read about self-discipline. I'm not in good physical shape and have started an exercise program. It was very motivating. I plan on renewing several other goals and being the best I can.

  3. I heard Jackie Chan on the Ellen show say that he washes his own socks and underwear every night when he's in a hotel. She thought he was joking but he said it's all about discipline.

  4. I recently read this quote from a Golfer surnamed Palmer, "The more I practice the luckier I get" I believe that pretty much sums up what you are sharing with us today Randy, brilliant as usual!

    Have a nice day everybody!

    Federico Ruiz

  5. This is EXACTLY what I was just thinking about. Today, I was beating myself up about the fact that I am not where I want to be yet business-wise. I thought back to all the things I excelled at when I was younger (dance, track, music, etc..) and really thought about why I was so good. I had not only a gift in these things, but I also practiced EVERY DAY. I had an abundance of self-discipline.

    As a result, I have made up my mind to get back into the swing of things by spending at least an hour each day working towards my business goals - even when I don't feel like it. It's the only way...

  6. Thanks for that comment Will. I checked out the video due to your comment. It was reassuring to find out that someone so successful does a "menial task" to maintain discipline. He could easily pay someone to do it but he does it himself.

    I personally make sure I wash the dishes myself straight after eating rather than leaving them till later in order to maintain foundational discipline. To find Jackie Chan does something similar for discipline is great to hear. I know I`m on the right track!

    Ari

  7. Discipline definitely creates freedom--and success. But I think there are a few parts to the equation that have to come first: (1) doing what you love, and (2) having a compelling reason WHY you do what you do. SO:

    Love + Motivation + Discipline = Success.

    For me, anyway, the elements have to come in that order: Love of what I'm doing first, a compelling reason why I'm doing what I'm doing second(for me, the reason has to be a global reason), and then discipline to achieve my goals.

    I'm sure the formula is different, however, for everyone. We're all individuals after all, which is what makes people so interesting! 🙂

  8. Hi Randy, I am so grateful that I had learned the value of discipline as 28 years ago I was diagnoised with black melanoma and given 6 weeks to live. I decided to follow a natural program that required some majoy changes in my whole life process.... the way I thought, the way I ate, the way I interacted with all those around me. The discipline to see it through means that I can now help others to understand how to be in Total Health. Thanks for sharing your great and very important princple for us all.

  9. "Most of us hate discipline. But the truth is, we all need it. "
    This statement is SO true - and when I get lazy I push myself to do something in business - even when I don't always feel like it -

    I know that 98% want and the other 2% will - am a 2%

  10. After many failed diets and other projects...I guess it does come down to discipline and just doing it...No one else will do it for you...

    Remember that Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons!

  11. Prince, yes, shear genius.

    It's so easy to 'slacken off'.
    Yet by acknowledging that you are slackening off is part of the discipline required to get back on track.

    (note to self: is there even such a word as 'slacken'?)

    Anyway, onward and upward!

  12. Hi Randy,

    I was listening to one of the Agel University CD's this morning where that very subject was being discused. That is something I am working on. Especially the personal developement and meditation aspect. I really have a hard time staying consistent with the meditation and prayer.
    Part of my personal development also means getting healthy,ie. losing weight. I have recomitted to it and am working on staying focused on the journey instead of just the outcome.

    I will get there!
    Thanks for your encouragemet.

    Luc

  13. Lenny, keep a food journal, and read it at the end of week, make good changes to it, and soon you will have good eating habits...diet!

  14. A written plan, a daily schedule holding you to the plan, producing enough activities that produce results your plan is designed to accomplish. When I had a boss as an employee the above was done for me or I didn't have a job. Now I must be my best employee as well as the boss everyone wants to work with. Enjoying the days’ outcomes looking for the nuggets of success and exploring the double levels of failures is all discipline.

  15. Discipline is wanting something more than the price you pay to get it. When you really want something passionately, I have never seen myself as "disciplined" to get it.... that is what the outsider looking in calls it because they don't want what you want and couldn't see themselves doing what you do. When I am in pursuit of the goal and all the pleasure it brings, and I am focused on that outcome, the journey for me is exciting because each day I am just closer to the thrill of the goal. I don't think that Tiger Woods calls it discipline when he practices to get a shot perfect..... it would be fun and sheer joy to push himself to see what he is capable of doing. kaizan... constant improvement

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  • 18 comments on “The Freedom of Self-Discipline”

    1. Great post Randy! I just had a conversation this morning with my athletes in this very subject. They asked me why some people are better at sports, and I told them it was all about that persons positive mind and self discipline! I then told them to go home and write down what they want to become and the things they needed to do to get there, the little things. I also told them that if they did not do this they were lacking self discipline! At the end of the training today I asked them what they were going to do when the went home, they all said they were going to make their lists! We will see who did and didn't on Friday.

    2. Thanks Randy. I really needed to read about self-discipline. I'm not in good physical shape and have started an exercise program. It was very motivating. I plan on renewing several other goals and being the best I can.

    3. I heard Jackie Chan on the Ellen show say that he washes his own socks and underwear every night when he's in a hotel. She thought he was joking but he said it's all about discipline.

    4. I recently read this quote from a Golfer surnamed Palmer, "The more I practice the luckier I get" I believe that pretty much sums up what you are sharing with us today Randy, brilliant as usual!

      Have a nice day everybody!

      Federico Ruiz

    5. This is EXACTLY what I was just thinking about. Today, I was beating myself up about the fact that I am not where I want to be yet business-wise. I thought back to all the things I excelled at when I was younger (dance, track, music, etc..) and really thought about why I was so good. I had not only a gift in these things, but I also practiced EVERY DAY. I had an abundance of self-discipline.

      As a result, I have made up my mind to get back into the swing of things by spending at least an hour each day working towards my business goals - even when I don't feel like it. It's the only way...

    6. Thanks for that comment Will. I checked out the video due to your comment. It was reassuring to find out that someone so successful does a "menial task" to maintain discipline. He could easily pay someone to do it but he does it himself.

      I personally make sure I wash the dishes myself straight after eating rather than leaving them till later in order to maintain foundational discipline. To find Jackie Chan does something similar for discipline is great to hear. I know I`m on the right track!

      Ari

    7. Discipline definitely creates freedom--and success. But I think there are a few parts to the equation that have to come first: (1) doing what you love, and (2) having a compelling reason WHY you do what you do. SO:

      Love + Motivation + Discipline = Success.

      For me, anyway, the elements have to come in that order: Love of what I'm doing first, a compelling reason why I'm doing what I'm doing second(for me, the reason has to be a global reason), and then discipline to achieve my goals.

      I'm sure the formula is different, however, for everyone. We're all individuals after all, which is what makes people so interesting! 🙂

    8. Hi Randy, I am so grateful that I had learned the value of discipline as 28 years ago I was diagnoised with black melanoma and given 6 weeks to live. I decided to follow a natural program that required some majoy changes in my whole life process.... the way I thought, the way I ate, the way I interacted with all those around me. The discipline to see it through means that I can now help others to understand how to be in Total Health. Thanks for sharing your great and very important princple for us all.

    9. "Most of us hate discipline. But the truth is, we all need it. "
      This statement is SO true - and when I get lazy I push myself to do something in business - even when I don't always feel like it -

      I know that 98% want and the other 2% will - am a 2%

    10. After many failed diets and other projects...I guess it does come down to discipline and just doing it...No one else will do it for you...

      Remember that Discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons!

    11. Prince, yes, shear genius.

      It's so easy to 'slacken off'.
      Yet by acknowledging that you are slackening off is part of the discipline required to get back on track.

      (note to self: is there even such a word as 'slacken'?)

      Anyway, onward and upward!

    12. Hi Randy,

      I was listening to one of the Agel University CD's this morning where that very subject was being discused. That is something I am working on. Especially the personal developement and meditation aspect. I really have a hard time staying consistent with the meditation and prayer.
      Part of my personal development also means getting healthy,ie. losing weight. I have recomitted to it and am working on staying focused on the journey instead of just the outcome.

      I will get there!
      Thanks for your encouragemet.

      Luc

    13. Lenny, keep a food journal, and read it at the end of week, make good changes to it, and soon you will have good eating habits...diet!

    14. A written plan, a daily schedule holding you to the plan, producing enough activities that produce results your plan is designed to accomplish. When I had a boss as an employee the above was done for me or I didn't have a job. Now I must be my best employee as well as the boss everyone wants to work with. Enjoying the days’ outcomes looking for the nuggets of success and exploring the double levels of failures is all discipline.

    15. Discipline is wanting something more than the price you pay to get it. When you really want something passionately, I have never seen myself as "disciplined" to get it.... that is what the outsider looking in calls it because they don't want what you want and couldn't see themselves doing what you do. When I am in pursuit of the goal and all the pleasure it brings, and I am focused on that outcome, the journey for me is exciting because each day I am just closer to the thrill of the goal. I don't think that Tiger Woods calls it discipline when he practices to get a shot perfect..... it would be fun and sheer joy to push himself to see what he is capable of doing. kaizan... constant improvement

    Leave a Reply to Vicki Kunkel Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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