Discipline Is Where Outliers Live.
Discipline is always valuable.
We all get the same 24 Hours, to spend chasing our goals. We live on the same planet, all have our unique battles to fight and are a part of the same human race.
Despite how great that we may all be on the spectrum of greatness. We all, are the same. We’re all here for a specific amount of time and that, is basically it.
However, when it comes to maximising potential, from an objective and subjective perspective, discipline, is the way that this is done. Nobody else is going to put a metaphorical gun to your head and insist, on you being great.
At best, all we can ever do is request and/or inspire, greatness, in those around us. However, although we all have greatness within us. It is up to every individual to take advantage of the opportunities they get or create, to exercise their greatness.
Our Deeds Define Us.
At the end of the day, our deeds, are what actually define us. What we do, day in and day out, dictates how successfully we are harnessing our potential. Moreover, reaching our full potential, requires discipline and committment.
Nobody finds themselves on top of a mountain by accident. On the contrary, our beliefs about what is possible and the extent to which we use discipline, to put the neccessary work in, is what enables us to reach our full potential.
Despite the optics, we all have to first believe our wildest dreams, can come true for us to have a shot at realizing those dreams. Secondly, through discipline, we all have to insist that we put the necessary work in to get to where we want to go.
Through Discipline, We Overcome Adversity.
If we have the same beliefs as those around us. Then we can expect to remain local. One of the reasons that excellence seems so rare in our world is, we too often underappreciate it. We want to see it for a prolonged period of time before we believe it. We feel threatened by it and only want to acknowledge it if it fits our narrative of what greatness is.
However, if we are open (minded and hearted enough) to accept greatness for what it is and allow it into our lives, it will have a transformative impact on our lives.
Moreover, having a healthy support system is ideal.
Being willing to get after it and give life your best shot is amazing and all it takes to eventually carve out a life, that is amazing.
However, to be able to have a support system and friends that provide an added layer of support and encouragement, is relationship goals. Achieving excellence as an individual, is to celebrated.
However, the next level up from this, is achieving excellence within the context of a team. Wherever possible, this is ideal because progress, change, or better, is only possible if it includes people.
There’s Nothing Better Than Being About Something Bigger Than You.
One of the greatest lessons that the pandemic taught us is that the well being of the human race as a whole, impacts all of us. In other words, global and societal health, impacts our realities even more than our individual wealth, or financial health does. To again put it in a different way, being rich is cool, even amazing. However, the type of world that we are rich in, is also really (actually more) important, than our individual wealth.
Furthermore, to reinforce the above point. It’s no coincidence that many of the world’s most successful businesses, are those that have the biggest impact on how we live our lives e.g. Google/YouTube, Amazon, Facebook, etc, etc.
All of which means, that whilst (self) discipline is the key to unlocking your full potential. The key to levelling up, (after you achieve individual success) is applying yourself (and your team’s efforts) to societal issues.
Self discipline will empower you to be your best self. However, to be your best self, you also have to help people and be about something bigger than just you.
The best example of this right now, is the World Cup. Where team work and love of country, are often the biggest sources of motivation, for players.