Discipline Determines Success

Something I keep hearing over and over again in books, on podcasts, and from my husband (who reads books and listens to podcasts) is that the key to success is not talent… It’s discipline. It’s doing difficult things that you don’t want to do (like working out) to reach the outcome you want to achieve.

Discipline is not berating yourself into a healthy habit or punishing yourself when you miss a Monday workout. Instead, discipline is fostering a healthy routine and making habits that you keep. I have heard this several ways, but the way I heard it this morning in Brené Brown’s newest book, Strong Ground, motivates me.

She borrowed this motto from a woman’s basketball coach (I think it was Courtney Banghart, but I could be mistaken). Simply put, disciplined people can do anything. Did that hit for you, too, sis?

If I can discipline myself and do the hard stuff I don’t want to do, I can get where I want to go. For me, this means doing calisthenics daily to strengthen my core before I start lifting heavy again. This also means waking up at 4:00 AM and following my daily routine of Bible time, reflection, and walking my dogs with my husband. Another habit I have been too relaxed on is my eating habits. Sugar and simple carbs do not do my body good, and yet, I have made them a huge part of my diet again. This needs to change, and the best place for this to change is when I grocery shop with my husband.

If I want to be the woman I envision myself being next year, strong, focused, and grounded, I need to be disciplined. It’s as simple and difficult as that.