Self-discipline

What it takes to be a winner

Are you self-disciplined? How would you rate your ability to discipline yourself? Average? Outstanding? Or are you undisciplined?

Of the qualities necessary for achievement, self-discipline ranks at the top of the list. It’s doing what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, without someone telling you to do it!

A self-disciplined person is the student who studies without having to be prodded by parents or teachers.

It’s the employee who, rather than procrastinate, begins a project as soon as it’s given to him.

It’s the salesperson who makes one more call even though he/she’s already worked a full day.

It’s the manager who commits himself and his team to attaining a lofty goal instead of a mediocre one, even though the mediocre goal would be acceptable to the company bosses.

Self-disciplined people tend to …

get up early
exercise regularly
abide by their self-prescribed diets, even when alone
do whatever they say they’ll do, often considerably more
work toward pleasing results, without being sidetracked by pleasing activities
set goals, then achieve them on time

An example of self-discipline is actor Hal Holbrook, who for over 30 years portrayed Mark Twain in live shows for more than 1800 audiences. It was his self-discipline that enabled him to spend four hours meticulously applying his own makeup before each performance. It was his self-discipline that kept him critiquing his performances and recording those critiques in a journal each night after the curtain closed—no matter how exhausted he was. And thus it was his self-discipline that made him wealthy and famous.

Another self-disciplined person—professional golfer Jack Nicklaus. When asked what he thought it took to be a winner, Nicklaus didn’t mention athletic ability, proper training or even luck. His answer was, "The self-discipline to practice."

If the television camera crews had followed Nicklaus after each tournament, you wouldn’t have seen him go home, visit the clubhouse bar, or stop and relax at the nearest spa. You’d see him head straight for the driving range and begin practicing shots he hit poorly during the previous round.

When he was satisfied with his ability to hit those, he would practice the shots he didn’t hit during the previous round. Then, when he was again satisfied with his performance, he would practice his entire repertoire—every shot—until he was hitting each one perfectly! That’s self-discipline. And that’s what it takes to be a winner!

Here’s what you can do:

Don’t just think about it, plan it, or talk about it. DO IT!
Stop looking for an easy way. If your goal is worthwhile, there are no easy ways to attain
it. You’ll have to work hard, and to do that you’ll have to discipline yourself.
You can strengthen your self-discipline by recording all your victories over laziness, procrastination and fear. Then, each time you review these, you’ll be reminded of what a self-disciplined person you really are.

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Self-discipline

What it takes to be a winner