“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
-Aristotle
Please read Aristotle’s quote above just one more time, and as you do, let the wisdom found in this short and simple statement resonate within you. What we do, repeatedly and habitually determines our level of achievement and accomplishment, and/ or the lack thereof. With that said, your actions should be, and must be, self-directed and guided in alignment with your goals and aspirations. Self-discipline, however, is the key to personal greatness. Without the essential components of self- discipline, which include self-mastery, self-control, self- denial, delayed gratification, and consistent goal oriented action, you will always simply just hope and wish, but NEVER be, do, and have.
Therefore, please understand: whatever it is that you want for your life, if you really, really want it, then self- discipline in the actions necessary for the achievement of your goals must be a requirement that you demand of yourself. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve the object(s) of your desire reveals how much you really want what you say you want, as well as what you are really willing to do, and do without, to get it!
So, right here and right now, ask yourself, “What do I want?” Really think about it. What would you like to be, do, have, experience? Write it down and make it a habit to read it every day so that the vision is clear and crystallized in your heart and mind. All that you must do next is ACT on a plan. If you are consistent and refuse to give up, you will be victorious. However, victory, the same as any success, requires preparation. There’s that word again: “requires.” Yes, yes, and yes: you must require of yourself habitual, goal-oriented action if you ever expect to change your life.
I will tell you firsthand: it is not easy! But nothing worth having, of great value, typically is easy to possess. In this case, the price you must pay is in self- discipline and everything that means for you and your situation. It may mean getting up earlier, or staying up later to work that plan. It may involve discomfort, and probably doing a whole lot of what you do not want to do. But your ability to do whatever it takes to achieve the object of your desire consistently and habitually is what will separate you from average thinkers and doers.
The journey and pursuit of self-actualizing your goals is very challenging, but also very exciting and empowering. The confidence that you will develop in the process as you move closer and closer to your field of dreams will motivate you to keep going, and keep aspiring to greater heights. You won’t and can’t really know what you can do until you push yourself to the limit. It is time to show yourself, and the world, what you are really made of!