Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There’s plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.
H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Without discipline no problems are solved and nothing substantial or worthwhile is achieved. A little discipline will solve some problems. A lot of discipline will solve most problems. Scott Peck in The Road Less Traveled says “With total discipline we can solve all problems”.
It’s meeting the challenges and solving life’s problems that gives life meaning. It provides us the opportunities to grow and realize our potential. Without discipline the challenges are poorly met and we stagnate rather than grow and become strong and resilient.
Ben Franklin said “Those things that hurt, instruct.”
We need to learn to welcome problems (or least to accept their existence as part of our existence). We procrastinate, we attempt to ignore, we rationalize, we view things through lens warped by our past experiences hoping the problem ceases or abates. Unfortunately unattended to problems fester and grow; a strategy of procrastination never provides real solutions or serenity (sometimes it may provide temporary solace or balm for that nagging, uncomfortable feeling that you know you haven’t done what needs to be done; you haven’t confronted or faced the problem in a truthful way). Problems need to be faced and acted upon.
Life is hard enough and presents enough “lessons” without adding unnecessary suffering. Why create unnecessary suffering? A lot of the pain and anguish experienced is really optional and doesn’t need to exist. Carl Yung opined that “Neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering.”
If you opt for the good life, discipline requires you to identify what you desire and to go after it and not just fantasize or daydream about it. A disciplined approach is required to work through the obstacles encountered. Obstacles are always encountered; that’s just part of the process of living. Problems are always a given, the disciplined approach is what must be mastered.
Discipline is a learned skill. Behaviors that need to be practiced and mastered are learning to delay gratification, acceptance of responsibility and the seeking and dedication to truth.
As always with principles, the theory is easy, the application is hard. The stumbling block isn’t the complexity of these tools, it’s the willingness to use and apply them.
Scheduling is a valuable tool for the disciplined. It’s simply a form of taking control of your life. Asian cultures seem to inculcate the value of delayed gratification and early sacrifice for later rewards. Scheduling work first and play later is an exercise in discipline and delayed gratification
We can learn discipline from observation; role models are invaluable. Choose your friends and influences carefully. Associate with winners and functional disciplined people.
Love is essential; choose to associate with people who are loving and supportive and allow the real you to flourish.
Those that had an abundance of both in early childhood are blessed. Those less fortunate have to work a little harder at obtaining that which wasn’t nurtured and encouraged in the formative years.
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Riley,
Wonderful message over here my friend. Discipline is a crucial attribute that we must master in life if we were to live a happy. I like what you said about “welcoming problems” The fact of the matter we will always face problems and distress in life, the key is to be aware of how we look and interpret those events and control our attitude towards what happens. If we don’t do this, then we will face unwanted and in some cases excessive worry and anxiety. Thanks for sharing Riley, great post
Dia recently posted..Peace of mind quotes
Dia,
Problems are just part of life and we might as well learn to co-exist with them. Thanks.
Riley
Hi Riley,
Diamonds are brought close to the Earth surface through deep volcanic eruptions by a magma. In this case diamonds of wisdom were brought to the Earth by eruption of your post.
Derek aka An Octopus On Skateboard;)
Derek Potocki @SmartGoals recently posted..Do this one thing and you’ll have a sucky life-guaranteed
Derek
If I can ever afford a publicist, you’re the man LOL. Thanks Derek
Riley
Hey Riley,
You bring the deep to surface in a tangible way (to paraphrase Derek).
It really is true. You deliver the goods in a way they can be received.
One of my favorite words is persistence. But as it turns out, you can’t even have persistence without discipline. We must discipline ourselves to get past the feeling end of things and get done what it is that needs to be done.
You are one eloquent writer. Have you written any books?
Rob recently posted..It Is Not The Critic Who Counts
I read your about page and, of course you have written books!
Me thinks they are of a high caliber.
Rob recently posted..It Is Not The Critic Who Counts
Rob,
Thank you so much for the compliment. Writing is cathartic for me and really helps clarify my thinking.As I’m sure you know it always feels good to have your writing appreciated.
Riley
Hey Riley,
I’m still chuckling at the image of the octopus on roller skates!
Yay – so nice to meet another fan of Scott Peck! (Have you read The Different Drum?) I loved The Road so much when I first read it that I formed a book group around it and we discussed that infamous first line for months: “Life is difficult”. Delaying gratification is all the more challenging with all these great blogs to visit out here in the B. “I’ll just take a tiny break and see if anyone else has published something since I last looked!”
It’s true, as you say; if you didn’t have the advantage of perfect parenting (who did?) you have to work at it. It would be great if we could remain aware that a problem is an opportunity to kindle and impel you and not always see them as quagmires or quandaries, but like Dora in Finding Nemo, I tend to forget as each new problem presents itself!
That’s what I appreciate about spending time in the Blogosphere on sites like this one – I’m reminded it’s not the end of the world! It’s just another problem making life interesting.
Lori
Hey Lori,
I just burst out laughing the first time I read that octopus quote. I like Peck’s pragmatic approach to life in his earlier books. I was surprised when he conducted exorcisms in the 1980s.
Riley
Riley,
I keep getting little internal messages about discipline. I know discipline can have a negative connotation but discipline can also release us from our bad habits.
I have to agree that there will always be challenges in life so there is no need to add more because of our own actions.
It is important to surround ourselves with people that allow us to be who we are and are supportive in our growth. Thanks Riley.
Justin@Mazzastick recently posted..Laughter Is The Antidote For Fear
Hi Justin,
I agree with all that you say. Thanks
Riley
Hey Riley,
Discipline and persistence is required for anything worth while. If you aren’t willing to put your head down and work hard until your task is completed success will be hard to find.
It is always better to work hard today than complain about your situation tomorrow.
Daniel M. Wood recently posted..Product Review- The Daily Goal Machine
Hi Daniel
Life would be so much easier if complaining worked but it doesn’t does it.
Riley
Hi,
After reading this article, all I could’ve think of was the song ‘That’s Life’ – Frank Sinatra. It’s true, the things that hurt – instruct. We need some pain to feel good when it’s good.
Joshua
Joshua@Plumbing courses recently posted..Online Plumbing Courses
Joshua,
It’s interesting to me how much wisdom can be found in song. Thanks
Riley
Hey Riley,
Thank you for sharing this post on having discipline, courage, and persistence to achieve the heights that we always dream of. All of us dream of heights that we wish to reach, but few of us even attempt to climb the mountains to get there.
Discipline is the crucial factor in climbing mountains, to gain new levels of achievement and self-satisfaction. Without it, we’re not able to move, for we will lack the control
Stuart recently posted..Unlock The Elevation- Interview With Bryan Thompson
Hello Stu,
Many will be glad to tell you how hard it is to climb the mountain, but darn few will tell you how great the view is.
Riley
Hi Riley, you bring up some good points. And I have noticed a recurring theme on a lot of blogs tonight: how so many people struggle with perfectionism and trying to live up to standards that are impossible and unreasonable. And I think oftentimes we have this unrealistic (and ‘fantastical’) idea that there is no room for challenges and problems. But those are what shape us! Thanks for keeping it real, man. Hope you’re having a great week!
Bryan recently posted..Airports and the Ultimate Power of Community
Hey Bryan,
The question I always pose to perfectionists is “what could you do if you weren’t a perfectionist” and my answer is “a hell of a lot more”. Take writing as an example, you can revise ad infinitum but it’s always at the expense of some additional writing that you wish to do. At some point, you have to say “that’s a wrap” , publish and get on with other projects.
Riley
I think that discipline can be a problem.
I do think it is important and useful in emergencies.
Other times it can be a problem I think. Stress doesn’t help us learn and is often part of discipline. We can learn by having fun too – and getting pleasure from what we do.
I think Scott Peck was wrong. It also takes intelligence and perhaps some other things too.
I think sometimes love means being less disciplined.
Hello Evan,
You make a lot of good points Evan. I knew no boundaries and experienced little discipline as a child and suspect that my issues with anything that smacks of authority might stem from this childhood experience.
Riley
Hi Riley,
It’s funny how some people get down on themselves and fill themselves up with nativities when they truly haven’t tried correctly to obtain what it is they truly desire.
They don’t try the right way because of fear of failing, also it’s not easy to discipline yourself to achieve. If you have passion it’s easier but there is still work and obstacles to confront. Achieving what you want in life is never easy for most of us. Some have the desire but don’t want to go through what it takes to achieve.
Most things don’t come easy and one must do what it takes to achieve. If there is ever something you want to achieve you must go for it in an organized manner and most of all have a strong burning desire to achieve what ever it is that you want (passion).
For some doing what it takes comes easy, for some it’s hard and for some it’s extremely hard. It’s just the way of life; we are all different with different circumstances. Even those who have it easy get slammed with problems so the main thing is go out there and discipline yourself to achieve.
That burning desire will let you find the correct ways to get things done in an organized fashion. Applying yourself and using your God given gift of human intelligence will keep you on the right track. Applying yourself is discipline. Apply yourself!
When things come up or things that tempt you to steer away from what you need to accomplish arise you need to have the discipline to stay on track.
Disciplining yourself to organize what you want to accomplish will open up the possibility of achieving wonderful accomplishments rather than having a life of unfulfilled fantasies.
Notice I said open up the possibility of achieving. I say this because you can do what it takes and still not achieve. You can be fortunate to do what it takes and succeed although you can do what it takes and fail. Life is a funny thing.
We all heard it before fall down, get back up. It all depends on how bad you want it. If you want it bad enough, you’ll keep on getting up after being knocked down. Each time you get knocked down, learn and be creative on different ways to achieve. If things don’t work out as planned, always confront problems from different angles until you reach success.
I’m sure we all heard it before but I’m going to mention it again, LEARN FROM YOUR FAILURES!
This is not simple stuff but it’s what makes the world go round if you apply yourself. Since when is it easy to get what you want out of life? Things don’t come to you. You must go out there and get them.
Some people don’t want to go through all this and therefore do nothing. I say doing something with passion and disciplining yourself to be organized and take action is always better than doing nothing because by doing nothing,
NOTHING WILL EVER HAPPEN.
Thanks for letting me express my thoughts. Great Post Riley.
Wishing everyone the best out of life,
Terry Conti
Terry Conti recently posted..The Fuel to Reach your Goals
Hi Terry
I agree. There is no guarantee that discipline, desire and hard work will make it a certainty that you achieve your goals. But without trying you can be certain that nothing will be achieved and life will seem rather empty.
Riley
I liked this post. It spoke to me because I’ve been thinking about deferred gratification and how the lack of it has (without me really being conscious of it) caused lots of my problems in life. Now in my late 30′s. I understand the importance of discipline. Do your children a favor – teach them young.
Hi Doug,
I agree Doug. I wished I had understood the power and necessity for discipline much earlier in my life.
Riley
Nothing seems to happen without some discipline. I’ve noticed this especially with blogging. If you just blog without a purpose, goal and discipline; you’ll get nowhere quickly. Your blog will flounder, and you’ll quickly find yourself writing to the wall. With nobody around.
I think it’s important for me to remember this principle, discipline, and apply it rigorously. Because without it; I will not succeed.
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..My Story
Hi Christian,
I agree, nothing of significance happens without discipline.
Riley
Discipline, desire and an understanding that anything worth doing takes effort make all the difference.
Jack @ TheJackB recently posted..Dad Is A Role Model
Hello Jack,
Well when you combine desire and discipline, you really have a winning combination.
Riley
Riley,
This is a wonderful method. I ahve always been a frim beliver in the idea that everything in life that is worthwhile and satisfactory takes work and effort to get.
The only way to achieve these things is through some level of discipline. A wonderful message!
Steve@Internet Lifestyle recently posted..22 Quick Tasks that Increase Internet Income
Well thank you Steve. When I saw your “to do” list I said to myself “now there’s a guy who knows a thing or two about discipline”.
Riley
I love the quote you opened with here Riley!
Man, for me you really hit it home with these statements:
Choose your friends and influences carefully. Associate with winners and functional disciplined people. *** We ultimately become what we hang out with.
Love is essential; choose to associate with people who are loving and supportive and allow the real you to flourish. *** Love can carry you through anything in life.
Scheduling work first and play later is an exercise in discipline and delayed gratification. *** Build a valuable business that creates long term wealth, not a monthly income to create and pay debt.
I have found, in my experience anyway, that these lessons are much more clearly seen with years on the planet and the wisdom gained from them.
This article rocks Riley!
Mark Harai recently posted..How To Build a Rockin’ Brand on The Social Web
Thanks Mark. That is SOME fish you caught there (see Mark’s about page).
Riley
Riley, that fish kicked my butt! It wasn’t even 50 pounds and I really did not think I was going to get it in the boat!
It’s called a “Rooster” fish and they are know to put up a big fight.
I can tell you it’s 100% the truth : )
Mark Harai recently posted..How To Build a Rockin’ Brand on The Social Web
Hi Riley,
Great stuff. For many people discipline equates drudgery but you’ve managed to make it sound as inspiring as creativity. I think we’re all full of ideas, some of them amazing, but it’s the people with discipline who succeed beyond any expectations!
Thanks again for another amazing post!
Katie
Katie Goode @Be Extraordinary Today recently posted..Live Without Limits
Well thank you so much Katie.l Always gratifying to hear from one whose posts I read on a regular basis.
Riley
I love the Jung quote about neurosis–how true!!
I also didn’t have much discipline as a child, and I have found that creating relationships with supportive, loving, disciplined people as an adult has made all the difference.
I have accomplished more and enjoyed my life more in the last two years of acting in a disciplined manner than I did in the 34 years before that.
Amy recently posted..Why I&8217m Becoming a Bag Lady
Hi Amy,
I loved your post of homeless people. People you should get over there right now and read it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Riley
I completely agree with you. Immense talent should be bound by the threads of discipline, so as it gets propelled in the right direction.
Anthony@chicken coops recently posted..Making a DIY Chicken Coop – How Big
Thanks for the very inspiring post…
after reading i felt conviction….Nice one..keep it up..
I just want to emphasize that discipline is not only important in solving problems but also it’s necessary in order to have a successful business. It’s like the deciding factor of your fate. If you’re disciplined enough to look for solutions to your problem, then surely you’ll find a way to resolve the issue.
Steve@Electric Cig recently posted..Vapor King Electric Cigarette
It takes discipline to achieve one’s goal in life. Procrastination can give no benefit to a person but can only make unfulfilled fantasies. We cannot live in a world of fantasies and no one can escape reality. We need to have discipline in order to face challenges life may bring.