Everything Counts: 52 Remarkable Ways to Inspire Excellence and Drive Results

Chapter 29. Self-Discipline Counts

"Self-discipline transforms you into the best you can be, which makes you feel confident, capable, and unstoppable."

Success in any endeavor consists of a few simple disciplines practiced every day, while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the cumulative weight of our self-discipline and judgment that leads us to either excellence or mediocrity.

First, you establish your goals, and then you enforce a strict program of self-discipline in order to cross the finish line of achievement. Every act of self-discipline moves you toward your goals, and every disruption takes you off course. There are simply no exceptions to this rule.

Before you brush aside this statement as something too obvious to matter, ask yourself this important question: "Based on my goals and expectations, am I on target?" The answer to that question hinges on your willingness and ability to remain focused on the habit most necessary for success—self-discipline. The only sure way to grow and to accelerate your progress is to bring a new discipline to your current activities.

Self-discipline is based on pride, functions through a meticulous attention to details, relies on mutual respect and confidence, and represents an unswerving commitment to excellence. The habit of self-discipline must be so ingrained that its influence is stronger than the excitement of the goal or the fear of failure.

You may spend your life fighting the temptations of to do or ...