Chapter 45 Discipline.
If you were watching a performing star, like Martina Hingis on the tennis court, or Ronaldo on the soccer field, you would be inclined to say: „Id give everything to be able to play like you do. And with some intelligence you could guess the reply, it would be: ‘Thats exactly what I did. or „No you wouldnt, if you would youd be here playing like I do.’
Great skills and achievements can be deceptive because admiration leads us immediately to applaud the talent, brain and brawn, and to forget the practice, perseverance and pain behind it all. None of the champions sat, wishing and waiting for success. Most of them gave all they had, days and nights, months and years. Mark Spitz, who won 5 gold medals at the 1976 Olympics said, „We all love to win but how many people love to train? In one previous chapter, I stressed that talents are common, it is determination, will power, hard work and obsession that make the difference. The great German writer Goethe noted, „He who is firm in will moulds the world tohimself.
In life there are multitudes of spectators, but few of Hingis and Ronaldo. It is obvious that great success is attained only by a few. They have desire and goals, that are strong enough to latch them on to the hard work that the others avoided doing! The others have moods, natural likes and dislikes, and want convenience and comfort. Thomas Huxley wrote, „The most valuable trait... is the ability to make yourself do the things you have to do... whether you like it or not. Discipline goes naturally with patience and perseverance, they are all vital ingredients for success. Many people want to succeed, but are not prepared to pay the price. Remember, we get what we work for or pay for! Victor Hugo, the famous French writer said, „People do not lack strength, they lack will. Plato the Greek philosopher wrote: „The first and the best victory, is to conquer self. George Washington noted: „Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. So now you can see, Success is something superior, something extra. It can only be achieved with superior discipline, and by going the extra mile.
This lesson is timely for those of you who are studying for exams, qualifying and graduating. This is the season for strong and silent discipline. It is time to embrace the following points:
1. Uproot Complacency. Active and regimented people are happier people because they feel they are useful, purposeful and fulfilling their potential. They recognise that successful people have passion for results, while failures love comfort and the easy way out. Beware, even with success, love of comfort may lead to complacency and laziness.
2. Self Denial. Toil now, for doubled luxury later. Pain now, but more pleasure later. The idea is to get over with the work and the pain, the sooner the better! Achieving ahead of time is best, because the fruits of your labour can multiply. Delayed performance reduces the rewards because precious time is lost, while your competitors catch up!
3. Get-Up-And-Go Power. you should train yourself to rise immediately at the sound of the morning alarm-clock. With regular practice, this becomes an easy routine. The same goes for studying and working. Do not procrastinate, but get cracking, because action creates motivation. the quicker and more frequently you act, the better your motivation in the long term, and the greater your eventual accomplishment.
4. Discipline Development and Habit Control. It is delightful to note that discipline is self-feeding and self-reinforcing. A little lead to more, as the achievement and rewards become increasingly gratifying! This is a wonderful progression to have. Concurrently, good habits should be formed to replace and discard bad ones. Be a person in control of life; rather than a slave of bad habits. We are at our best mentally and physically, when we are disciplined and in control.
Connie Mack said, „The first thing any man has to know, is how to handle himself. Discipline does not end with punctuality and diligence, of course. It should extend beautifully to all forms of self-control. The control of fickle minds, loose tongues, ill manners, boastfulness, extravagance, damaging thoughts, and all facets of weaknesses and negativism are extremely important. Discipline gives value to our time, environment, lifestyle and character. One of our earlier scientists, Pythagoras said, „No man is free who cannot command himself. Tennyson put it rightly: „Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, those three alone lead life to sovereign power. Perhaps one of the most important areas of self-control is the capacity to be cool, calm and collected in all circumstances. Milton said, „Who reigns within himself, and rules passions, desires, and fears is more than a king. Generally speaking, the louder a person shouts or bangs his table, the lower his intelligence and virtues. Likewise the man who can reason softly is many times more superior and respectable than the one who argues violently. The touchy and temperamental hooligan is avoided and the barbaric bully is despised wherever they go. These people have no more grace or intelligence than that of the baboons.
All those who exude maturity, confidence and tranquillity from their innate peace and contentment are liked and treasured everywhere. Let us grow up to be the kind of person who is valued and loved everywhere; always gentle, calm, optimistic, cheerful and in control.
"Don't permit yourself to show temper. Always remember that if you are right you can afford to keep your temper, and if you are wrong you cannot afford to lose it." - J. Reynolds.
"Responsibility walks hand in hand with capacity and power." - J. G. Holland.
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers.
"Wisdom and discipline are what mere fools have despised." - Proverbs 1:7.
"People who are resting on their laurels are wearing them on the wrong end." Anonymous.
"Five enemies to peace inhabit with us: avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride. If these enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace." - Petrarch.