Discipline Is A Beautiful Word

By Zig Ziglar

In today's social climate many people look with disfavor on the word "discipline" because they simply do not understand that discipline means "to instruct or educate, to inform the mind, to prepare by instructing in correct principles and habits." No one who achieves greatness does so without discipline. Sybil Stanton, in her beautiful book, The Twenty-Five Hour Woman, accurately states that "discipline is not on your back, needling you with imperatives, it is at your side, nudging you with incentives." It's true that when you discipline yourself to do the things you need to do, when you need to do them, the day's going to come when you can do the things you want to do, when you want to do them. It's also true that life is tough, but when you are tough on yourself, life will be infinitely easier on you.

Today many people want to be free to do as they please, but consider this: If you take the train off the tracks, it's free - but it can't go anywhere. Take the steering wheel out of the automobile and it's under the control of no one, but it is useless. The reality is that until the sailor disciplines himself to be obedient to the compass, he will have to stay within sight of shore. However, once he is obedient to that compass, he can go anywhere in the world the sailboat will take him. Yes, discipline is the missing ingredient that will make the difference in your life. Discipline yourself today so you can have a better life tomorrow. That means I really will SEE YOU AT THE TOP!