Notes on [Self] Discipline

"Discipline is a matter of the heart. When we say we’re making children into great-hearted men and women, part of what we mean is teaching them to be disciplined. To be disciplined in speech means that you say exactly what you mean to say, and that you have the judgment to know exactly what the moment calls for. To be disciplined in dress is to be in command of your appearance, and to know exactly what your dress is communicating to others. And so on. To be disciplined is to be successful at whatever you do, because you know the right thing to do and want to do it.

"As with acquiring any habit, learning to be disciplined can be frustrating and uncomfortable. I liken it to learning to be a runner or beginning a new workout regimen. No one enjoys his first mile. But as every runner knows, at some point the experience is thrilling. And discipline is thrilling. There is nothing like knowing exactly what the moment calls for and being willing and able to do it.

"To be disciplined is to have a joyful heart."

— Mr. Michael Austin

"Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership is leadership. If you seek to lead, invest at least 50% of your time leading yourself—your own purpose, ethics, principles, motivation, conduct. Invest at least 20% leading those with authority over you and 15% leading your peers. If you don't understand that you work for your mislabeled 'subordinates,' then you know nothing of leadership. You know only tyranny."

— Dee Hock
Founder and CEO Emeritus
VISA International