Let's talk success! Ever wonder how some people seem to manage it all? How do they do it? It’s not just luck - it's self-discipline! No kidding, mastering self-discipline can transform your life, career, and happiness. Our author, Brian Tracy, went from high school dropout to millionaire through sheer discipline. And now, he's sharing the best techniques.

This book will show you how to apply self-discipline to every area of your life. No more living on Someday Isle, where dreams go to retire. It's time to take action. It’s time to turn "someday" into "today"! No more excuses - it's time to become the captain of your own ship! "If it's to be, it's up to me!"

Let's dive in!

Let’s open with the secrets of success, shall we? How does one succeed? Ever thought about it? We succeed, when we learn. And the thing about success and self-discipline is that it isn't a one-and-done deal. You can't just learn something once and call it a day. You've got to keep at it, or you'll lose it. And the best way to keep learning?

Ever heard the saying "learn from the best"? Well, it's not just a catchy phrase—it's a success principle that could save you years of trial and error. It's like the second most important principle after self-discipline. Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from those who've already figured it out?

Tracy mentions this dentist who took this advice to heart. This guy wanted to be the best of the best. So what did he do? He became a seminar junkie, attending every dental conference possible. And this dedication led him to a game-changing discovery at a conference in Hong Kong. A Japanese dentist had come up with a new cosmetic technique that could make teeth look amazing for ages. Our dentist brought this knowledge back home, became an expert in it, and people started flocking to him from all over. He made so much money that he could retire at 55! 

Now, let's switch gears and talk about something that might make you squirm a bit: personal responsibility. Success is rolling up your sleeves, learning from the best, AND taking charge of your life. Tracy had a lightbulb moment about this when he was 21, living in a tiny apartment and working construction. This wake-up call hit him hard. He stopped blaming his past, his childhood, or the alignment of the stars for his situation. Instead, he took charge. The very next day, he marched into a bookstore and started his journey of lifelong learning. What we’re trying to say is that this is your life, and no one's going to change it but you!! About 80% of people never fully accept responsibility for their lives. They're too busy playing the blame game, pointing fingers at everyone but themselves. 

Take it from Tracy, combining these two principles - personal responsibility and continuous learning - creates a powerful foundation for success. 

Now, let’s see how we can use self-discipline to succeed at our goals.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room – fear. Everyone's got it, even that tough-as-nails neighbor who claims nothing scares them. Fear is as normal as forgetting where you put your keys. Sometimes, it even keeps us safe. You might think courage is all about being fearless, but here's a surprise: it's actually about managing your fear. Mark Twain hit the nail on the head when he said that. So, it's not about who's scared and who isn't – it's about who takes action despite being scared. Imagine two soldiers in a battle. Both are terrified, but one charges forward while the other retreats. The difference? Self-discipline. The brave soldier isn't any less scared; they've just trained themselves to act anyway. The only way out is through, y’know. 

Now, fear often brings along its annoying sidekick: worry. These two love to party in your brain, keeping you up at night. But fun fact: 99% of the things you worry about never happen. That's right, your brain is an expert at creating scary movies that never make it to the big screen.

Feeling overwhelmed by worry? Try this trick called the "Disaster Report." Here's how it works:

• Define your worry clearly. What exactly is freaking you out?

• Identify the worst possible outcome. Would you lose your job? Your savings? Your pet goldfish?

• Resolve to accept the worst, if it happens. Tell yourself, "If that happens, I'll deal with it."

• Take action to improve on the worst. Do everything you can to prevent that worst-case scenario.

For example, let's say you're worried about giving a presentation at work. The worst that could happen? You might forget your lines, your boss might frown, and you might not get that promotion. Scary, sure, but not the end of the world. Once you accept that you'd survive even this, the worry loses its sting. Now, instead of fretting, you can focus on preparing thoroughly. The real antidote to fear and worry is action. Get so busy working towards your goals that fear can't catch up.

So, that was all about self-discipline and personal success. Now, let’s talk self-discipline in business.