There’s a reason we admire those who show up early, keep promises to themselves, and follow through, especially when no one’s watching. This is because self-discipline is the quiet force behind every meaningful achievement. It’s not flashy. It’s not always fun. But it is always essential.
As I have tried to live each day this year without excuses in my life, I’ve realized that the phrase, “No Excuses”, simply means that I am striving to be more self-disciplined in my thoughts, decisions and actions.
I am finding, every day, that this phrase is not comfortable for me. There are always variables. I have always been happy and content making excuses, and now, six months into this challenge for myself, I can see the many excuses in my life more clearly, and I am no longer content with making excuses. It has been liberating to be so honest with myself. I still have a lot to learn and recognize in my life, and I look forward to improving each day.
Brian Tracy, in his book ‘No Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline,’ says it best: “Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible.”
I’ve seen this play out over and over both in my own life, and in the lives of others. Discipline is what gets you to the gym at 6 AM when your body wants to stay in bed. It’s what helps you say no to junk food when it would be easier to say yes. It’s what gets your kids to activities on time, your bills paid, and your dreams off the ground. And let’s be honest, self-discipline is what keeps us from unraveling when life gets hard.
Let me share a few examples.
1. Waking Up Early—On Purpose
It’s easy to hit snooze. It takes self-discipline to get up when the alarm goes off, lace up your shoes, and start your day with intention. Research has proven how successful people often rise early to carve out uninterrupted time for reading, planning, or exercise. That one decision to wake up early can set the tone for everything else.
2. Time Management—Protecting What Matters
Time doesn’t manage itself. People who find balance in their lives, schedule their priorities instead of prioritizing their schedules. Planning your day in advance and sticking to those priorities, even when distractions arise, is a hallmark of high performers. Whether it’s setting a timer to stay focused or choosing to finish the task instead of scrolling social media, time discipline is life discipline.
3. Choosing the Right Food—Fueling the Mission
Let’s be honest… no one craves broccoli. There’s a chance that I would crave broccoli if it was dipped in dark chocolate. But self-discipline means choosing what fuels your body and your goals, not just what satisfies in the moment. Making the hard decisions in the kitchen leads to more energy, sharper thinking, and longer-lasting health. Eating wisely is an act of self-respect, and it starts with discipline.
4. Having the Tough Conversations—Choosing Growth Over Comfort
It’s uncomfortable to speak up, to ask for help, to address conflict. But personal or professional leadership requires leaning into those conversations. Whether it’s sitting down with a struggling team member or apologizing to a friend, it takes courage and discipline to show up when it would be easier to avoid. This is what it means to live with ‘No Excuses’.
5. Sticking to Your Word—Even When Motivation Fades
Anyone can be excited on day one. Discipline means that you continue to do the thing on day twenty-two, when the excitement is gone but the promise remains. Brian Tracy writes, “The glue that holds all success together is discipline.” It’s the reason some people publish the book, finish the degree, or launch the business while others only talk about it.
There’s a quote I come back to often by Elbert Hubbard, one of the most prolific writers of the early 20th century:
“Self-discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.”
He continued, “There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline none of them work. With self-discipline they all work.”
That’s it. That’s the truth.
We don’t need perfect circumstances, the right mood, or even great talent to begin. We need discipline. The kind that shows up, follows through, and keeps going when things get uncomfortable.
I missed my workout this morning, and as I am finishing this article, the sun is setting. But you, the person reading this, inspire me to continue to work towards my ‘no excuse’ goal this year. So I am going to go, and with self-discipline at the forefront, I’ll put on my workout clothes and gitter-dun. Thank you for reading!
If you’re chasing a goal, working on a dream, or just trying to be better than you were yesterday, remember: Self-discipline is your greatest asset. Use it, grow it, and let it carry you where motivation alone never could.
Quote to Ponder
“Through discipline comes freedom.” -Aristotle.
Question to Consider
What excuses have you made today?
How can you choose to have more self-discipline in your work, in your conversations, with your nutrition, with your thoughts, or with your habits?
Choose one area to intentionally improve today.
Discipline in Action: More Stories & Insights
Time Management Tip: Every time I use this time management tip, it takes a weight off my shoulders and allows me to see where I need to place my priorities.
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