Does anyone agree that discipline is the root of success?

by wesb
21 replies
I know that most of us know or read about the keys to success. Writing goals, having a master plan, desire, persistence etc... But if you do not have the discipline to stick with the well documented steps to success then you will never achieve. I am looking for input. I am wondering if anyone agrees or wants to share their thoughts. Thanks

Jerome wesb

#agree #discipline #root #success
  • Profile picture of the author josephpeter
    Discipline and daily focus for me.
    Just not overdoing it though. Regular Breaks
    from the computer. Give the eyes and brain a rest.

    I think to really make it in IM, in Business in life
    (might sound funny this)
    Early nights, like bed around 9 early, I think that could be the secret.

    JP
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
      Banned
      Originally Posted by josephpeter View Post

      Discipline and daily focus for me.
      Just not overdoing it though. Regular Breaks
      from the computer. Give the eyes and brain a rest.

      I think to really make it in IM, in Business in life
      (might sound funny this)
      Early nights, like bed around 9 early, I think that could be the secret.

      JP
      Discipline doesn't necessarily mean going 110% with your business 24/7. It means that if you say "I'm going to work from 9-7 today" you have the mental fortitude to hold yourself to that standard. You won't throw in a few breaks, take off early, or skip over to Facebook. It's being able to say "I'm going to do this" and then actually doing it.

      Discipline comes into leisure time all the same. You have to be mentally tough to pull yourself away from a project and be able to just unwind and relax with your friends/family/loved ones.
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  • Profile picture of the author TamilYoung
    If I am remember the story right, Dale Carnegie compiled 1000 principles or traits to success in 5 volumes and Brian Tracy had a chance to ask him which one is the best of all and Dale replied that "Self Discipline" is the single best thing one should have as all others are dependent on this. Definitely Discipline is the root of everything!
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  • Profile picture of the author sfx1971
    For me, the keys to success are planning ahead and having the discipline to follow those plans through. I always plan what I'm going to do tomorrow, today - so that I know in advance what needs to be done. Sometimes this is a really crappy task that I know I won't enjoy doing, this is where the discipline comes in.
    So in my case, if I didn't have the discipline then the planning would be pointless and I wouldn't be a success
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    • Profile picture of the author thedanbrown
      Originally Posted by sfx1971 View Post

      For me, the keys to success are planning ahead and having the discipline to follow those plans through. I always plan what I'm going to do tomorrow, today - so that I know in advance what needs to be done. Sometimes this is a really crappy task that I know I won't enjoy doing, this is where the discipline comes in.
      So in my case, if I didn't have the discipline then the planning would be pointless and I wouldn't be a success
      I agree completely. Planning and tracking what you spend your time doing is probably the most efficient thing you can do for yourself.

      If you are unsatisfied with your week of work go back and check what you spent your time doing. Take out a few hours of something else (you probably weren't doing anything special anyways) and work instead.

      When everything is said and done...it's what works for you that counts. So I would suggest to figure out what makes you the most productive and tweak and refine that technique.
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      • Profile picture of the author Woowah
        Originally Posted by thedanbrown View Post

        I agree completely. Planning and tracking what you spend your time doing is probably the most efficient thing you can do for yourself.

        If you are unsatisfied with your week of work go back and check what you spent your time doing. Take out a few hours of something else (you probably weren't doing anything special anyways) and work instead.

        When everything is said and done...it's what works for you that counts. So I would suggest to figure out what makes you the most productive and tweak and refine that technique.

        What a great idea, thanks!

        I sometimes can get sidetracked by other stuff and not recognise where I have lost all my time, so revisiting what I have done is an excellent suggestion.

        I am going to write a work journal of my time and see what areas I need to cut down on, what things derail my concentration and try to avoid them.

        Many thanks Dan (the Man) Brown :p
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelgee123
    I think the key is having the discipline to stay consistent. Sometimes we don't want to get up and work but the first time you make an excuse ("I did enough yesterday", "what is one extra day off") then it's pretty much over. If you have the discipline day in and day out, you will be successful. To what level of success is another story related to your talent and or some degree of "right place, right time." Without discipline it will be extremely hard to be successful
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  • Profile picture of the author DoWhatWorks
    Hi Jerome,

    I've come to the realization that consistency is the root of success. I suppose that consistency and discipline are both very related concepts. Of course, being consistent and disciplined AND doing the right things is the key. If you are consistent and disciplined, but using the wrong model, then success is impossible. :-)

    -Terry

    Originally Posted by wesb View Post

    I know that most of us know or read about the keys to success. Writing goals, having a master plan, desire, persistence etc... But if you do not have the discipline to stick with the well documented steps to success then you will never achieve. I am looking for input. I am wondering if anyone agrees or wants to share their thoughts. Thanks

    Jerome wesb

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  • Profile picture of the author business4moms
    I agree discipline is a HUGE factor. Talent - well without discipline is wasted. Same with knowledge - think about it in a simple model - to lose weight - to be successful it's not just KNOWING what to eat and not to eat - but having the discipline to do so. I agree with the above that consistency is part of discipline as well as knowing when to take a break! Discipline is what causes me the most trouble (because I lack it).
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  • Profile picture of the author crork
    Yes, discipline is a very important thing! If you're going to break your rules, then nothing happens.
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  • Profile picture of the author RuthBPaxum
    "Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power."
    - Lao Tzu
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  • Profile picture of the author payperman1000
    Originally Posted by wesb View Post

    I know that most of us know or read about the keys to success. Writing goals, having a master plan, desire, persistence etc... But if you do not have the discipline to stick with the well documented steps to success then you will never achieve. I am looking for input. I am wondering if anyone agrees or wants to share their thoughts. Thanks

    Jerome wesb

    I definitely agree...If you don't have your main goal(s) written down there's a chance that you won't put forth the effort to accomplish them. I find that writing small goals down daily on the way to my main goal has given me the discipline to achieve my daily task as work towards my main goal of being a Philanthropist.
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  • Profile picture of the author DBracey
    I agree that without discipline you simply can't reach the pinnacle of success.

    However, my view is discipline is not the root of success.

    The root of success is the seed that sparks the desire to have or achieve a certain thing.

    Without the desire, without the passion, without a strong intention to have or achieve a certain thing, all the discipline you can muster will still be overshadowed by an inner lack of motivation for that certain thing, and thus despite your attempts to remain disciplined you will still set yourself up to only ever achieve mediocre to average results.

    Since in context the word "root" really means "cause", my view is the true "cause" of success at a certain thing is the initial desire for it. It causes everything else to be set in motion.

    If there is a "key" to fulfilling the desire for that certain thing, it is the overall process of combining many constructive thoughts and actions consistently towards that certain thing, with discipline being one of them.
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  • Profile picture of the author tyreerice
    totally agreed..
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  • Profile picture of the author odohjc
    Hi wesb,
    I will willingly say that discipline is the root of success. Without discipline it is difficult to achieve any thing. We are told that "Practice Makes Perfect". I would say that constant or disciplined practice makes perfect. For instance, an athlete hoping to make it at the Olympics must set consistent time schedule for practice and be disciplined enough to stick to the schedule to be able to make any reasonable impact at the Olympics.

    Self discipline is truly essential if we want to succeed in any endeavor be it internet marketing business or learning to fly an air plane or any other skill.

    odohjc
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    • Profile picture of the author wesb
      Thanks to all that responded. Take anyone that is on top of their game in all areas of life I bet they all had their goals written and the discipline to follow through. I tend to get distracted at times and therefore lack the true discipline to be on top of my game. That's why I like to communicate on this forum to talk with like minded people to help me stay on point.
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