Summary

Success is achieved through self-discipline, intentional living, and focusing on controllable aspects of life.

Abstract

The article emphasizes that success is not a matter of luck but rather the result of consistent, disciplined actions and choices. It argues that individuals have the power to shape their destiny by cultivating productive habits, maintaining positive thoughts, and responding appropriately to uncontrollable circumstances. The text suggests that success is a personal journey, defined by individual fulfillment rather than external metrics like wealth or fame. It highlights the importance of intentional living, where each day is treated as an opportunity to progress towards one's goals and purpose. The article also touches on the necessity of courage to take risks and learn from failures, which are seen as stepping stones to success.

Opinions

Success is determined by the seeds of success or failure that we carry in our character and personality.
Humans are unique in their ability to choose their thoughts, actions, habits, and destiny, unlike other beings.
Successful people focus on what they can control—themselves—rather than external factors.
'Sudden success' is often the result of long-term, disciplined efforts that have matured, not mere chance.
True success is sustainable and fulfilling, unlike fleeting achievements that are not based on intentional discipline.
Living with intention every day is crucial for progress and avoiding stagnation.
Courage is essential for success, as it enables individuals to act on their ideas and learn from failures.
Success requires more than potential, creativity, or talent; it demands sacrifice, action, and persistence.

Success Isn’t a Result of Chance, It’s a Result of Unseen Disciplines

Discipline yourself for success by living with intent every day

“Just as a doctor learns to diagnose disease from certain symptoms, failure and success can also be diagnosed. The reason is that a man does not simply find success or come to failure. He carries their seeds around in his personality and character.” — Maxwell Maltz

Consciously control your destiny

Each and every day we determine our destiny with our decisions. Whether we realize it or not, every present thought and action contributes to our outcome at a later date. What we constantly think, do, and accept amplifies in our lives in various forms; mentally, spiritually, and physically.

I once heard that what distinguishes us from other beings on earth is our ability to choose, and that is so true. A tree can’t be anything more than a tree and a dog can’t be anything more than a dog, but humans, we have the ability to be anything we want to be.

Often we forget that we have the ability to choose our thoughts, actions, habits, and destiny because we fixate on circumstances and external conditions that we can not control. Not to mention, we become accustomed to a certain pattern that we don’t even have to consciously make a decision even though we can.

What separates successful individuals from those unsuccessful, in terms of their satisfaction for the quality of their life, is their decision to focus on what they can control — themselves, as opposed to what they can’t.

Make it a priority to choose success over failure by consciously making decisions to develop productive habits, think constructive thoughts, and react appropriately to things you can’t control and focus on what you can. Once it becomes a habit to progressively move towards achievement, you wont have to consciously decide, it’ll become automatic to you.

Does success happen merely by chance?

No, success isn’t the result of chance.

You might wonder then how do people come to ‘sudden success’ or instantly blow up with little to no effort.

Well, there are two occurrences either taking place when someone is met with ‘sudden success,’ is it either successful discipline transforming into a physical equivalent or a short-lived illusion of success.

The former means that one has transmuted their success through momentum and unseen disciples. Those unseen disciples consist of constructive habits, mentally and physically, done routinely. Their intentional living and daily habits have resulted in their aspirations becoming a reality.

The latter, that’s not success, at least not lasting success that’s sustainable. Success isn’t just recognition, followers, and money, it’s whatever you truly desire and find fulfillment in, which is different for everyone.

Have you ever heard of a one-hit-wonder or a lottery winner losing all of their money within a few short years?

That is a harsh reality that success that’s not intentional, backed with discipline, and premeditated isn’t forever.

Live with intention every day

“We are all gardeners, planting seeds of intention watering them with attention in every moment of every day.” — Cristen Rodgers

Every day of life is a blessing and should not be wasted, but rather used to bring us closer to our purpose in life. Successful people like Oprah and Bill Gates stress the importance of living each day intentionally because it keeps us motivated and progressive.

When you set tasks for the day, you are deciding to effectively work towards success. No matter our position in life, it is important to always look forward and work towards something because when we aren’t, we are stagnant. Being stagnant leads to an unfulfilled life.

Start and end your day intentionally. Successful people perform daily routines to get their minds and bodies into a habit of being productive.

Be courageous

“Often the difference between a successful man and a failure is not one’s better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on his ideas, to take calculated risk — and to act.” — Maxwell Maltz

We all have the potential to be successful, but potential alone can not and will not determine success. Nor will one’s creativity and talents. Success is found when one is willing to sacrifice, take action, and be persistent.

Many times we are met with failure when we decide to take action, but few of us embrace that temporary defeat and decide to use it to our advantage. Successful individuals perceive failures as lessons. They accept it and use it as a leverage to be more informed and experienced, that takes courage.

Takeaway

Every day take the initiative to disciple yourself to be productive by creating routines, choosing your destiny, and focusing on what you can control. Choose to live intentionally daily and always strive to move forward to get you closer to your goals. Success won't just knock on your door, you have to go the extra mile to sustain and build on that success through disciple and constructive habits. Take the chance on yourself. Be courageous and embrace failure when you are met with it. When you persistently develop yourself in this manner, success will follow you and become inevitable.