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Success is more about discipline than about skill or talent.

While talent certainly has its merits, discipline often plays a more critical role in achieving success. Here’s how discipline can outweigh talent:

Discipline fosters consistency and practice, enabling individuals to continually refine and enhance their skills over time. Unlike talent, which may be inherent, discipline is cultivated through deliberate effort and commitment. This ongoing practice and improvement are essential for long-term success.

Moreover, discipline transcends the ego. It is not about manipulating oneself but about understanding oneself. Discipline is an organic process, unlike control, which is artificial and suppressive. Control is driven by an idealised version of oneself, laden with numerous “shoulds” and “should nots.” In contrast, discipline is spontaneous and rooted in understanding, leading to actions aligned with that understanding.

Discipline does not adhere to any specific ideal or dogma; it is not about achieving perfection. Instead, it gradually guides individuals toward wholeness. The concept of control, on the other hand, is perfectionist and goal-oriented, often leading to internal conflict and stress.

The term “discipline” itself is derived from a root that means “to learn,” sharing its origin with the word “disciple.” A disciple is someone open to learning, and discipline embodies this openness, facilitating continuous learning and growth. A disciplined mind does not require control; it operates freely and effectively without the constraints imposed by external ideals.

In essence, discipline is about fostering a natural understanding and growth process, free from the rigid structures of control. It is this disciplined approach, rather than innate talent, that often leads to sustained success.