Discipline.
The principle that is the foundation of success and power. It has created empires and toppled them to ash.
But when has discipline become most exemplary? When can a clear example be seen throughout history of its importance & magnitude?
Let me shine a light on one of the most dominant, feared and skilled societies ever.
The Spartans.
Now, I’m not arguing that I’m a history professor. I’m just a very handsome enthusiast of greatness and what is greater than setting the standards for future generations and having your name as a staple for what an exemplary badass should be?
Being a soldier was the primary calling for a statesman. In their society the military, was basically the NBA, NFL, ARMY, Marines, MLB and the UFC combined. Their culture revolved around it.
From the age of 7, little boys where removed from their families and given to the agoge a sort of military summer camp. There, they would hone their skills as probably the most skilled, disciplined and ferocious combatants the world had ever seen. At the time at least. They where starved as it was believed that a lean/famished soldier would do better that a pudgy/satiated one. For food, they where incentivized to steal and only punished if caught. They where stripped of their robes and footwear and only left with an undergarment and barefoot, it was believed they would be more agile that way. On a regular basis they where incentivized to fight each other and beaten to harden themselves.
You could assume how badass and radical these fuckers where.
But what drove them to push themselves to the definition of excellence?
To set a standard for future generations?
Well, I can tell you for damn sure. They weren’t relying on "motivation". But rather inspiration. You see their greatest assets besides their intense training and proficiency at warfare, was their patriotism and sense or search of glory. Granted they where instilled, better yet ingrained into their psyche this mindset from a very young age.
Since before they could speak and give their own meaning to the world. They knew what a badass was.
Regardless & child rights aside, the fact is that a key element of discipline is the "Why". (Every time you read the word "discipline". Use Jocko Willink’s voice. It adds another layer of epicenes to this.)
Search your "Why". Why are you doing the things you do? You see motivation is a momentary sensation, a boost of adrenaline so to speak. Useful? Of course. Not better than inspiration, the bigger picture. The "Why". The reason that sparks a fire in your eyes in the morning.
Need an example? I’ll give you my why’s.
- Glory
- Mastery
- Legacy
- Not being a bitch
This are the pillars of my discipline. What pushes me to go the extra miles. What are your why’s? It could be your family, a better future a better body, to get good at something, etc...
(Your why’s correlate directly to your personality, so practicing self-awareness and ultimately knowing yourself to perfection. Is the ultimate tool.
Find that trophy and be ruthless in your pursuit to reach it.
Now, who said it was going to be easy? The one thing of the practice of discipline that I can assure you, even promise you. The fact that discipline is hard. The definition of discipline it self, as said by google is “the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior. Using punishment to correct disobedience.”
Imagine that aggressive course-correcting directed towards yourself? This is what’s called self-discipline, setting your own standard to excellence and striving each day to either maintain it or surpass it.
An example of maintaining this standard, is building routines and goals you want to reach constantly. Similar to cardio, which consists of building it up and maintaining it.
That could be a good demonstration of this point, again getting in shape, maintaining a great shape, training for an event.
All those depend on routines and achieving small actions of discipline, you create momentum. Which in term will lead to making hard decisions effortless. It will become ingrained in your psyche and character.
Example;
- Before waking up do 20 pushups, then build up.
- Fasting is a great tool, not only for overall well being but for the practice of self-discipline.
- Going to do some cardio, studying, lifting.
- Taking time out of your agenda, to do something specifically.
(Juice your days and hours for maximum efficiency) This small achievements will create in your brain dopamine, which I call the "reward hormone". Which in term will lead you to have a better self-esteem.
Let’s add more seasoning on this concept, let’s put more leverage on the right decision. By inserting a consequence on making the wrong decision.
Let’s say you make a bet with your friend. That in a certain period of time you will lose 40 pounds. If you don’t he wins $40. If you do and you win, You get $40.
Another could be saying shit out loud, so then you have to go do it. Getting a coach is another good advice.
This is no more than accountability, being held responsible for actions. Now, this is discipline, someone else holding you accountable. Champions and legends held themselves accountable, have higher standard possible and demand more from themselves than anyone ever could. This is self-discipline.
That is part of the mindset, the mindset of champions. Another variable to this equation is running towards the pain, the fear. Develop an obsession with finding the shrinks in your armor and eliminating them. If you do this not only will you be able to achieve wonders, but your name shall resonate on the echo chambers of walls humanity has never entered.
Ultimately as you develop and become as David Goggins puts it, a disciple of discipline". This will become your mentality.
Look, I can go all day with tricks and shortcuts. But this is up to you. Self-discipline is constant test of will and character you give yourself. You pass that trial and I assure you the world, could never handle what you put out there. This could also be seen as a gift, you give yourself and your future self.
By doing the hard shit now, you spare your future self from a life of misery and mediocrity. But instead guide him into a path a of joy, freedom and greatness.
This gift extends to those around your family, friends, community, culture, humanity. When you develop yourself, not only do you give your best to them. But also it starts to rub off on them and they start their own journey.
That is the power of self-discipline and having high standards, the power to change the world.
Now, I understand this is not for everyone. But if it is for you and you want more out of life. Believe me this is where you start, where you make a stand against a world of mediocrity and push forward. To a new future, a brighter one, a more glorious one.
The world need what you offer, it’s crying out constantly for change. So give it to it. Be the change.
Remember it starts with you.
Now, I probably know what you are thinking "Me?".
Yes, You.
It doesn’t matter what niche, industry, study, skill, talent, profession you have. Greatness is an essence a standard and it doesn’t discriminate. It bestows itself among those who are worthy and seek it.
Take this names.
- Alexander The Great
- Jesus
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Julius Ceaser
- Mike Tyson
- Leonardo Da\" Vinci
- Aristoteles
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Galileo Galilei
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Muhammad Ali
- Rosa Parks
- Carl Jung, Sigmeund Freud, Frederick Nitchze
- John F. Kennedy, F.D.R
- Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson
- Leonidas, Xerxes
- Charlamagne
- Octavian
- Marcus Aurelius
- Nikolai Tesla
- Ghengis Khan
- Achilles
- Bruce Lee
- 2 Pac
- Van Gogh
- Picasso
- Dave Chapelle
- The prophet Mohammed
- Bob Marley
- Tego Calderon
- ____________
I could go on and on listing names of people who have achieved the heights of greatness. The amazing part of this is that as long as humanities history is still being written, there will always be those who stand out and write their own.
So why not put your own name upon this list?
Keep in mind, those people. The only thing that they all truly have in common, is the will of greatness.
If they could why not you?
Demand more of yourself, set the standard for future generations follow through the path of greatness.
Big Love
- A
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