Self-discipline & Success
By John Ingrisano on Sep 22, 2006 in Quote of the Day
When I was young, I had a friend who loved what he called his freedom. He resented punching a time clock (like anyone loves it). He drank too much. He did drugs. He spent money like a drunken sailor, without any thought for tomorrow. And he would let no one tell him what to do. He claimed to be free, a man dedicated to doing his own thing. He pitied us dummies who cracked the books, studied and worked like dogs.
Like many people, my friend confused self-indulgence with freedom. The two have nothing in common. Freedom, success, self-destiny — they are the result of self-discipline and self-control, not self-indulgence. (Oh, and by the way, my friend ended up a bitter alcoholic, stuck in a dead-end job, mostly because he valued his "freedom" more than the discipline to finish college.)
If you want to be truly free, discipline yourself to achieve the things you value. Control yourself and you control — as much as any person can — your own destiny. Enjoy the day and work hard, work like a dog, work like a maniac to create your own freedom.
– JR Ingrisano
"Most people equate discipline with an
absence of freedom…. In fact, the
opposite is true. Only the disciplined
are truly free. The undisciplined are
slaves to moods, appetites and passions."
– Stephen R. Covey
(The 8th Habit)
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Paul Zukowski | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
Just wanted to add a little life to your blog, John. You two are doing what I hear is a necessary first step — adding entries pretty often. Now comes another hard part — getting people to read your entries. One of my communications professors used to run for office to test his theories, one of which was to attack someone in your own party on a Sunday, so you would get press on what is usually a slow news day (Monday). So attack Matt Drudge this Sunday! *PZ (John’s editor at Corporate Report Wisconsin magazine)
Ellen Weber | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
Brilliant distinctions between self-indulgence and freedom here, John. Your blog is laying the foundations to take readers in a new direction … and you have part of that figured out. I can see it in the messages and between the lines. It takes time for a blog to head in the exact direction the author wants and yours is doing just that. Your readers will find much of interest here as you continue to move toward the vision you have. This will be a fun blog to watch. Thanks for the inspiration.