We all know that a part of us envies and even celebrates those who choose the easy path and those who hold themselves to lower standards . It seems like more fun . More pleasure . But it is a trap ! Under closer inspection , the lazy ultimately have a harder time . Few experience more pain than those who have thrown their health away . Failing to realise your full potential can be a punishment . Greed moves the goalposts , robbing you from enjoying what you have , today . Even if the outside world might celebrate them , perhaps for a while , inside there is often a low self-image and dependence .
Only through discipline can we empower ourselves to achieve great goals – as individuals and as businesses . Name someone truly great without self-discipline . It is impossible ! More than talent , life is about temperance and discipline . Freedom requires discipline and discipline gives us freedom .
“ If we have it so good , why are so many of us so unhappy ?
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It starts with the body , of course . We need to conquer our bodies before they conquer us . If greatness is our aim , if we want to be creative and productive and make the world a better place through our professional endeavours , we need to take care of our bodies . If we run on empty physically , the brain struggles to do its job properly .
It might seem that we say “ no ” to pleasure and “ yes ” to punishment . But the pleasure of excess is always fleeting . Self-discipline – to eat healthily , exercise and sleep enough – is not a rejection of pleasure ; it is , in fact , the opposite ; pleasure will be the long-term reward .
Because the body keeps score . The decisions we make daily influence , silently , what we become , how we look and how we feel . By sometimes choosing short-term discomfort , we toughen ourselves up . Someday , most likely , life might have serious discomfort in store for us . Will we be ready ? Discipline is not punishment , it is the way to avoid ultimate punishment .
Ah , Hercules at the crossroads : Getting up earlier to exercise ! It is tough . Our bodies might initially rebel against it , but over time , we will make two remarkable discoveries . First , we will wake up one morning and realise that we are actually starting to enjoy it . The second discovery is even more remarkable . We realise that it is not about the body after all , the real benefit of leading a healthy physical life is mental . Because temperance in the body affects the mind .
This brings me to self-discipline and the mind , our mental development .
As humans , we are wired to grow . When welcoming new employees to PPS , I often ask what they want from PPS – what will make them stay . Almost always , the answer includes personal growth . “ Develop me !” We can always improve no matter who we are or what we have accomplished . Few beliefs are as powerful – or as dangerous – as this : If you think you have room to grow and put in the effort , you will . But if you believe you have peaked , you are right – you will not improve . To err is human . But to err less each day is to move closer to the divine .
Millions of years of evolution – and , many believe , the guidance of a Creator – have shaped our bodies , minds and hearts into a remarkable system . But will we continue to grow physically ,
“ Discipline shapes our destiny .
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