Agreed, discipline is a very important part of the equation but I've found that motivation is even more important.
If one has a burning desire to do something (and here I'm specifically referring to the process of doing, not to the goal of achieving, in other words; the journey, not the destination) there's no obstacle that can keep you from reaching the goal.
I remember preparing for my first black belt test; huffing and puffing and driping sweat and groaning - sometimes dizzily staggering through line drills like a drunken cow - hating every minute of it. Then I'd catch a look from my training partner. He'd be in just as bad a shape as I, but he'd have a big goofy grin on his face and say somethng stupid to me like, "Isn't this great!" or "Man, this is fun!" His strength lay in enjoying the process.
Or in school, I remember struggling through the courses I disliked or found boring, getting mediocre grades in spite of my best efforts, wishing it was all over, but staying up all night without any sign of fatigue working on the courses I found interesting or enjoyable and getting excellent grades.
Again, for me the key to real success isn't discipline, but motivation. If you're motivated the rest just falls into place. The mystery, of course, has always been how do you get and stay motivated enough to enjoy the process and achieve the goal?
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Le Bear Extraordinaire!
Mike Brewer's 2008 Athleticon Challenge!!!
Pushups Completed: 5 1/2
Situps Completed: Does using my hands count?
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