Discipline is the Bridge Between Goals and Accomplishments

I think we all have those words or phrases that define us in the various phases of life. Mine come of much surprise to me: Organization, Structure, Discipline, and Commitment. Those that know me know that these were concepts and values that I despised as a child. There is a feeling of freedom that comes from doing what I want, when I want. To have structure, and to be disciplined was a slap in the face of the freedom I craved. The lack of discipline, fear of commitment, and phobia of responsibility were the road blocks of success in life. The illusion of freedom soon became the anchor of progress and the fog that plagued the mind when clarity was needed.

Growing up I was told that there were two kinds of people in this world. Dreamers, and Doers. Everyone dreams, and so we all really are all dreamers. The qualities that separate the dreamers from the doers are many. But the most important is Discipline. Discipline is doing what I need to do, when I need to do it. Upon that, organization and structure are easily created. As someone who despised these concepts, the initial battle of doing what I didn't want to do was difficult. Eventually though, a rhythm is developed. Upon that rhythm I can finally fit time and energy into the pursuit of the very thing that was the catalyst for my pursuit of these concepts: Goals.

One statement I hear often is “Don't let your dreams be dreams.” Goals are built upon these dreams. One of the biggest and unnoticed crimes against your life you can commit is the act of not dreaming. The next largest crime is telling yourself you can not or are incapable of achieving something. Or perhaps you do dream, but feel like a dream is unreachable and therefore not worth pursuing. You couldn't be more wrong. If you feel that way, you've missed the point entirely. A phrase I heard recently was “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss at least you will be land among the stars.” So dream. Pursue your goals, and maximize your velocity. Crank up the intensity that you bring to life. But first, water the seeds of discipline and commitment.

-Jacob

The quote "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss at least you will be land among the stars" is by Norman Vincent Peale