Self-discipline is key to success. In fact, it may even be “the key to success”. We believe that if ever there were a true magical ingredient to achieve success, self-discipline would be it. And we’re not alone in our estimation.
As a matter of fact one of the richest men in modern history, Andrew Carnegie, commissioned a man by the name of Napoleon Hill to seek out the richest and most successful people across the land in the early days of the 20th century.
“Self-Discipline Attracts Opportunity”
Can you guess what the common denominator was in Carnegie and Hill’s decades long study of what leads to success? If you guessed self-discipline, you’d be right.
WHY SELF-DISCIPLINE IS KEY TO SUCCESS
Napoleon Hill’s research states that faith and ideas are the starting points of all great achievements. However, it is self-discipline that bridges the gap between your ideas and the accomplishment of them. As such, self-discipline is the key.
Now, many might argue that his book was about using your imagination, thinking, improving your attitude, etc… And they would be right, at least partially. However, the master key or the the linchpin, if you will, all comes down to self-discipline.
“The Great Master Key To Riches Is Nothing More Or Less Than The Self-Discipline Necessary To Help You Take Full And Complete Possession Of Your Own Mind.”
– napoleon hill –
In addition to this discovery, self-discipline has been referenced time and time again by those who have accomplished greatly and have achieved massive success. Most success stories clearly demonstrate the power self-discipline played in the achievement of their dreams. Self-discipline is indeed, the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
Unfortunately, this is a truth that is ignored, or simply missed by way too many people. And regrettably, it is usually to the detriment of their accomplishments. Having said that, here a few reasons why self-discipline is actually the key to success.
1.) Self-Discipline Leads To Better Input
Too many people spend countless hours scouring news sites, social media, or watching T.V. They have big goals and dreams, but they fail to realize that consuming large quantities of negative content, or content that only entertains them, keeps them stuck.
Distraction hinders progress. Focus accelerates it. Which is why it’s been said, that before you can change your output, you must first change your input. And this is where discipline comes in.
If you have the foresight to acknowledge how unproductive being a consumer of negative news and useless social media feeds, you can marshal the discipline necessary to change what you feed your mind. If you feed it positive news, or content that inspires you to dream more and take more action, well, you’ll quickly realize how much easier it is to make progress on your goals.
2.) Disciplined Input Leads to Better Thoughts
Here’s one of the main aspects of being disciplined about what you allow to enter your mind; when you do so, you effectively impact your thoughts.
That’s right, the quality of your thoughts can be regulated by what you allow into your mind. David J. Schwartz, the author of ‘The Magic of Thinking Big‘ once stated that, “The mind is what the mind is fed.”
It’s sort of like being a chef. If you want to produce a five-star meal, you have to ensure you begin with the highest quality ingredients. Sure, on some rare occasion, a chef can turn out some great finished meals with base ingredients. But to get to world-class, they’ll need the highest quality ingredients.
So, if you want positive disciplined thoughts, you must first start with being extremely disciplined about what you allow into your mind.
3.) Disciplined Thoughts Leads to Discipline Actions
It’s especially apparent as to why self-discipline is key to success, when you realize how important disciplined thoughts are for taking disciplined actions.
Most people think discipline begins in our actions. But it begins long before we do the deed. Countless hours are typically spent beforehand imaging what we want, how we want to get there, by when, how.
There is almost always an accumulation of thought and intention that takes place before any action is taking. And this is especially the case when it’s an action that requires a high degree of discipline, like sitting down to write that book, scheduling time for fitness, putting in the energy to make that healthy meal, etc…
Discipled Thoughts leads to disciplined actions.
4.) Disciplined Actions Leads to Success
When all is said and done, consistent disciplined action in a singular direction will lead to better results and gradual progress. And the progressive realization of any worthy goal, is in a nutshell, success.
If you were to ever research and study the biggest names of the success and self-development industry over the past century, names like Earl Nightingale, W. Clement Stone, Og Mandino, Napoleon Hill, James Allen, Bob Proctor, etc… you would quickly catch on to the oft repeated phrase…
“You Become What You Think About.”
This phrase, is their big secret to success. However, it is equally a phrase that can lead to success just as surely as it could lead you to failure.
Here’s how. If you think about nothing, you’ll eventually become nothing. Likewise, if you think about failure, scarcity, and your obstacles all the time, well, that’s exactly what you’ll end up getting more of, because what you focus on expands.
Of course on the other hand, if you can discipline yourself to think of positive things, if you can force yourself to constantly think of success, achievement, and goals, those will be the things you eventually bring more of into your life. You will slowly, eventually, and most assuredly become what you think about. So choose to be disciplined about what you think about from the get go.
Remember, self-discipline leads to better input, disciplined input leads to disciplined thoughts, disciplined thoughts lead to disciplined actions, and disciplined actions lead to success. And this is why, for all intents and purposes, self-discipline is the key to success.
Until you reach your aims,
STRIVE
PS – If you enjoyed this write-up about how self-discipline is key to success, then you’ll want to make sure you check out these supporting resources on discipline:
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