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Defending Discipline, by John Miller

     Ok, it’s not about what you thought it might be—a discourse on the merits of discipline in the form of punishment. The discipline that I wish to defend is the self imposed will to do the right thing and to do the right thing consistently.

     Ok, it’s not about what you thought it might be—a discourse on the merits of discipline in the form of punishment. The discipline that I wish to defend is the self imposed will to do the right thing and to do the right thing consistently.
     C. J. Smith describes it this way: “Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience." The disciplined person has the will and the character to consistently substitute bad habits with good, make good choices instead of bad, and succeed instead of fail.
     What’s the point? Discipline brings benefits and benefits are desirable. The irony is that discipline and desire are in constant conflict. Many people desire to become millionaires, but don’t. Discipline might just make you one.
     Really? Actually, it is not that far fetched or that difficult. Even a person of meeker means could become a millionaire with discipline and time.
     Consider this: Could the average person save six bucks a day by exercising a little discipline? Perhaps it is the sodas one decides not to buy, drinking water instead. Or the trip to the candy store. Or dare I say it: That extra bit of hunting gear that one bought but never used.
     Save six bucks a day? Sure. That is doable. Consistently? That is another question. Here is where discipline comes to the defense. What are six bucks a day worth?
    If you begin saving six bucks a day, compounded monthly at seven percent interest when you are sixteen, you will have a nest egg of $1,004,407 when you retire 50 years later at age 66. Not bad for six bucks a day. Doesn’t seem like an unreasonable task either.
     Is it possible to save six bucks a day? Absolutely! Can you do it everyday for 50 years? That is an entirely different question. Discipline makes it possible for the average person to achieve the extraordinary. On the other hand, there are many extraordinary people that achieve very little because they do not practice discipline.
     Clearly, discipline is about more than saving or making money—it enables the ordinary person to achieve the extraordinary through a series of willful and deliberate choices, repeated consistently over time.
     Whether it be diet or consistent exercise, saving money or going to school, long-term success depends more on discipline than intelligence or the commitment of a single resolution.—all require discipline and consistent commitment over time.
    Just think of what you might achieve with the money saved over time. Or the health gained by exercise. Or the lessons learned in school. All are within your reach if you have the discipline to do them.

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