The Successful Athlete: The Art of Discipline

The Art of Discipline

What makes an athlete successful? Does it come from intense workouts, nutritious diet, or is it just luck? Maybe all three? Or is the "successful" athlete just more motivated. It could be a combination of all of these factors.

However, none of these factors really make a difference if discipline is not added to the equation. As an athlete discipline is the one superpower that "should" be engrained into you. There are plenty of variables that goes into the equation of a successful athlete, but if discipline is missing then the everything crumbles.

Simple, if you'd like to see more success as an athlete the discipline needs to be a strong characteristic in your makeup. 

Don't worry even professionals struggle with this art. Here are 3 concepts that are essential to understand if you'd like to master the art of discipline:

• Discipline > Motivation

Motivation runs its course. It eventually fades away until the next wave brings it back to the shore of your mind. Discipline can never be mastered if an athlete still depends on motivation to move the body. Times get hard, you go through a funk, or sometimes you just don't feel "it". This is where discipline will save you. Discipline is not an emotion. Discipline is an foundation that YOU control.

• Discipline Requires Sacrifice

There is nothing that comes without anything given. It is tempting as an athlete to get caught in the "fun" lifestyle. Everybody will want a piece of you, your time, and your attention. The better you are at your craft, the more people, places, and things will fight for your attention. This is not to say that you shouldn't embrace your hard work and enjoy the fruits of your labor, but in order to enjoy those fruits you have to determine how much you are willing to sacrifice for the growth.

• Discipline is a Habit 

Do not make being discipline complicated. Discipline is an art to work at every single day. Some days the art looks great, other days, not so great. The point is that you practice every single day and accept the imperfections. The more discipline is practiced it makes you "super-human" to the average man or woman. As an athlete, you know this all just part of the process. Wash, rinse, and repeat.