review of
the Power of Discipline
by Daniel Walter

This webpage contains the notes and learnings of Stephan Smith from the book titled “The Power of Discipline” by Daniel Walter. You can consider this content as commentary and a review of this literary work.

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ON-PAGE NAVIGATION

1. Introduction
2. The Most Important Skill
3. Self-Discipline Precedes Intelligence and Talent
4. For Things to Change for You, You Have to Change
5. Self-Control & Success Must Be Developed
6. Willpower Has Limitations
7. Self-Discipline Influences Self-Esteem
8. Focus on the System
9. Your Habits Define You
10. ‘Trying’ Reduces the Probability of Accomplishing Goals
11. The Five Basic Rules of Accomplishment
12. Goals Don’t Always Fulfill Desired Outcomes
13. Self-Discipline is the Key to Success

INTRODUCTION

On Saturday, February 18th 2023, I received the book ‘The Power of Discipline’ by Daniel Walter. This post contains my [Stephan Smith‘s] review of the book & my commentary on its subject matter.

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THE MOST
IMPORTANT SKILL

According to Daniel Walter, the most important skill required to achieve the life one desires is self-discipline. I wholeheartedly agree with this notion.

The majority of us wants for something in this life; more money, more freedom, success, relationships -the list goes on. To improve the probability of acquiring these desires, one must obtain the necessary skills – either directly, or indirectly (via another person).

But what skills are required to realize one’s desires?

It is commonplace for us to overlook fundamental skills that impact all facets of our life and focus solely on the skills that are particularly relevant toward the goals we set for ourselves.

If one wishes to lose weight for example, many of us will immediately look for workout routines or diet plans. But what good are those regimens if one lacks self-discipline? Like the ability to effectively communicate or the ability to act with integrity, self-discipline is a fundamental skill that echoes throughout all areas of our lives.

It is a skill that increases the potency of all other skillsets. If self-discipline isn’t the most important skill, it is definitely, most assuredly, near the pinnacle.

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Self-discipline
precedes intelligence
& talent

It is not uncommon for the development of intelligence and talent to get the lion’s share of time and effort. Whether studying to be a computer programmer, a machine learning engineer or an expert in artificial intelligence, countless hours of study and practice must be done to gain commendable competency, in the majority of topics – regardless if its computer centric or not.

Daniel Walter shares that developing self-discipline should precede the development of intelligence and talent in any given field or topic. It is an idea that resonates with me on a deep level. One who has mastered self-discipline often achieves more, and rises further than those who merely rely on developing intelligence and talent alone.

Without self-discipline, growth is stunted; the bare branch of mediocrity is all one can expect if self-control is lacking.

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for things to change for you,
you have to change

Those are the wise words of business extraordinaire, Jim Rohn. Ever since I’ve heard that quote, I was captivated by its simplicity and its accuracy. This quote came to mind when Daniel Walter stated…

In the likeness of Jim Rohn, Daniel Walter has captivated me. It amazes me how something so simplicity can be so profound and precise.

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Self-Control & Success
Must Be Developed

In a world of instant gratification, pleasure and comfort, one may have the misconception that self-control is something that can be activated on a whim. One may even delude oneself to believe that they’re in complete control of one’s behavior, when in actuality we acquiesce to our slightest, vain desires at the cost of more glorious, honorable, yet more tedious accomplishments.

Daniel Walter reveals the truth about self-control and how it must be developed like a routine, exercised like a muscle or practiced like a craft. We must work on self-control like we work on our success. Success doesn’t just happen like self-control doesn’t just happen.

Self-control is a skill that must be refined previously before it can be shown in its full glory in the present.

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willpower has
limitations

Very few things are limitless; some may argue nothing is. Willpower is no exception. Daniel Walter explains that willpower can be exhausted if put to use for prolonged periods of time.

The effects of depleted willpower can manifest itself in a reduced sense of resolve; a propensity to take the path of least resistance at the expense of accomplishing goals. Depleted willpower will have an impact on one’s determination. With this being known, it is vital to allow willpower to be replenished by removing one’s self from the temptation.

Daniel Walter shared powerful wisdom when he said:

Daniel Walter’s words are truly inspired; for it is written in the scriptures…

The removal and staying away from temptation is a tenet of overcoming vices and will allow for willpower to be replenished. When temptation is near, willpower is put to the test. The longer one resists temptations, the more willpower is depleted. Willpower can and will be exhausted if temptation persists.

That’s why we must remove ourselves from temptation if it can be done.

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SELF-DISCIPLINE
INFLUENCES
SELF-ESTEEM

Self-discipline truly impacts all areas of a person’s life. One area of life that’s especially affected by self-discipline, or lack thereof, is one’s self-esteem. Daniel Walter highlights that self-esteem can be negatively impacted if a person feels that they aren’t where they’re suppose to be in life.

Not achieving one’s goals is intimately linked to self-discipline. So if a person isn’t achieving their desires, it is very probable that self-discipline is lacking. Also, not achieving one’s goals, especially if a person is consistently failing, will most definitely diminish one’s self-esteem.

Daniel eloquently summed up the whole matter.

If you fail at achieving your desires, your wants, you probably failed at accomplishing your goals. If you fail at accomplishing your goals, it is most probable that you failed at implementing self-discipline.

If you failed at implementing self-discipline, it is most probable that chronic inaction at executing the necessary behaviors is why self-discipline is lacking.

Consistent failure at achieving one’s desires will eat away at one’s self-esteem, and minimize one’s self-confidence.

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focus on the system

Those who consistently accomplish their desires are those who make a habit of setting goals for themselves. A ‘goal’ is a desired end product; a desired end result of the person who sets it. Unfortunately, of all the innumerable goals set by people around the world, only a fraction of those goals become realized.

But why? According to Daniel Walter, the issue doesn’t rest on the goals themselves, but on the systems put in place & the execution of those systems.

So in short, if you want to achieve an outcome, a result, take the time to develop a system, a routine, a practice that would produce the outcome you seek.

On the other side, many people wish to put an end to bad habits, bad results and bad outcomes. However, people erroneously focus only on the undesired outcomes.

Daniel explains that doing so tends to result in short term success, if any; meaning overcoming bad outcomes only for a season – just to relapse later. For longer term, ever-present success, don’t focus on fixing undesired results. Focus on changing the habits, the inputs, the systems producing the undesired results.

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your habits define you

Good habits need to become part of who you are. This is achieved by being consistent and persistent.

Consistent, meaning to continue practicing and executing behaviors, also known as habits, over time. Repeating a behavior that will propel you toward your goal. Work must be done with regularity, a lack of pause or breaks, with continuance, without cessation – this is being consistent. This is what makes habits become part of you; become you; define you.

Persistent, meaning to endure and continue even when difficulties arise. When obstacles appear, work continues regardless. When challenges come up, habits continue on nevertheless. To demonstrate and execute consistency and persistency is to make habits become a part of who you are.

Your behavior defines you. Your habits define you. Adjust your behaviors so that it contributes to the accomplishing of your goals. Focus executing your behaviors, your habits – establish them as a system of tasks that you think about and do without deviation.

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‘trying’ reduces
the probability
of accomplishing
goals

We all desire success in life. Yes, success can vary from person to person because desired outcomes can vary from person to person. However, what doesn’t vary is the framework used to accomplish those desired outcomes. The framework, meaning the establishing of habits, systems, behavioral patterns, that if adhered to, would produce the desired results.

It is the ‘doing’ of the necessary habits, systems, behavioral patterns, with consistency and over time, that will yield the desired outcomes. To ‘do’ is to execute; to ‘do’ is to fulfill, to accomplish, to get it done.

If a person says they will ‘try’ to accomplish a goal, they have admitted that they do not believe they can do it. A lack of belief, in of itself, has a negative impact on the probability of a task being accomplished. Though it is possible to experience success even if you didn’t fully believe you could, the problem resides not in what’s possible but its impact on probability.

Probability of success increases if you genuinely believe you can fulfill a goal. You will move with boldness, conviction, confidence, assertiveness and power. Let us acknowledge that there are those who deceive themselves, lie to themselves, that they have the ability to obtain their desired outcome. I do not call for false belief but for the development of true, authentic belief in yourself; to increase the probability of accomplishing your goal.

If a person says they will ‘try’ to accomplish a goal, it could come from the fact the person is simply affirming the possibility of failure and not disbelief in oneself. That the person is simply recognizing nothing is for certain.

If that is the angle one takes, then you should ‘try’ to have a sip of water. You should ‘try’ to sit down. You should ‘try’ to watch tv. You should ‘try’ and never say you will ‘do’ anything because nothing is for certain.

In reality, a grand majority of people don’t speak like that regarding tasks they know they can do. Why? Because they have total belief in themselves to execute those tasks. What is more common is that they will say, I ‘will’ watch tv or I’m ‘going’ to watch tv. That is total belief.

How to Inspire True, Authentic Belief in Yourself

To inspire true belief in yourself, one must identify the desired outcome. What do you want? It must be well defined and clear. Once identified, what habits do you need to adopt that will produce the desired outcome you seek? Determine the behavioral patterns that are within your known skill sets, your known abilities – in essence, construct a plan within your scope of capabilities.

Get to a place where you can confirm, you can do these tasks, these habits, because they are within your scope of abilities. You know you can do ‘x, y, z’ because you’ve done it before with no problem. Or you can conceive that you can do ‘x, y, z’ because its within your abilities.

Once you have a system of tasks, a list of habits, you know you can do, then authentic belief in yourself becomes easier to obtain. Why? Because you know that if you do these habits with consistency, it will produce the desired outcome you want. That’s when true belief in yourself is achieved; it is achieved based on historical performance and conceivability based on what you know of yourself.

When you make the decision to commit to do what it is you already know you can do – then ‘try’ is no longer needed. You will ‘do’ with boldness.

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the five basic
rules of
accomplishment

Rule number one. Know ‘what’ you want and ‘why’ you want it. Understanding the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ behind decisions and choices is a mighty driving force to push you toward accomplishing your goal. Knowing the ‘what’ and ‘why’ can fill a person with with deep, unwavering resolve. It is also important that the goal chosen aligns with one’s personal ethos; one’s core belief system and values. You should also identify what sacrifices need to be made in order to achieve the goal. After sacrifices are identified, a conclusion should be determined on whether or not those sacrifices are worth the goal. If it is… move forth.

Rule number two. Apply 100% focused effort. Give the habits, the systems, the behaviors you’ve concluded, will get you to your goal, everything you have. Remember to focus on the system and not your goal. Once you have your system planned out, do your best to stick to it. Stick to it with everything you have. Give it your absolute all to be consistent and to follow that system, to follow that plan with no deviation. Don’t give 10, 25 or 50 percent effort. Give 100 percent effort. To be clear, what I’m saying doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t modify your plan. Do so if it makes achieving your goal more efficient, more likely. Modify your plan if you see a more optimal, more sustainable path. Once changes are made, do your 100 percent best to execute. Or cancel the plan if the goal is no longer desired.

Rule number three. Sustainability and time. Can the tasks you’ve set for yourself be done at a set pace? ‘Set’ meaning, easily done, well within your ability to do and at a pace that is predefined and in your ability to execute over the medium and long term? — so when you do these tasks for the 1,000th time, you don’t see yourself becoming overwhelmed. As long as you’re always learning and improving each and very time you do the tasks, it stays exciting. If the level of output you’re doing starts to feel way too easy, then increase the intensity. The whole idea is to make sure, whatever output or pace you’re moving toward your goal at, its sustainable for you. Then do it… over time.

Rule number four. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. It is through practice where growth is obtained. Progress and accomplishment is a flower that grows in the soil of repetition. Sustainable repetition with ever-increasing intensity, gradual improvement in sophistication, refinement, perpetual elevation in levels of efficiency in the tasks and behaviors that will lead you to your goals, is a cornerstone attribute to your ultimate success. Make the system put in place part of your daily life.

Rule number five. Rejoice in the small wins. Celebrate the precursor achievements and precursor victories to your actual goals. Before you can run, you have to learn to walk. Walking is a precursory achievement to a person who is on the path to run. Reading to chapter 1 and then to chapter 5 are both precursory events to reading an entire book. To be able to save $1,000 in cash, you’d have to first save $100. Take note of the smaller milestones. Focus on the system and notate the precursory achievements. Once a noteworthy precursory event has transpired, acknowledge it and rejoice. Take great joy in the fact that you are objectively getting closer to your goal. You are on the path to success.

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goals don’t always
fulfill desired outcomes

Once goals are determined, and appropriate systems, behaviors and habits are put in place for the purpose of obtaining those goals, it is important to understand that undesired results can occur. It is commonplace for an establish goal to not yield quite what one was seeking. It is common for goals and actual desires to be misaligned. We may have one desire, and erroneously think that the goal we set will fulfill that desire.

One would have thought that simply launching the 3 online games would fulfill the desire of reaching the masses of online gamers. However, that wasn’t the case.

It is typical that a notable percentage of our work will come out relatively low quality or produce lackluster results. Not everything will be a masterpiece. Not every fulfilled goal will satisfy the desires behind them. It is perfectly normal for a segment of our production to be sub-par. This idea comes from Sturgeon’s Law.

Daniel Walter writes…

What’s also noteworthy is the concept that only a fraction of our production will yield the majority of our return. This idea comes the Pareto Principle. Daniel Walter writes…

Long story short, goals don’t always equate to the fulfillment of desired outcomes. This is normal. Be careful not to allow this normal happening to discourage you from continuing down the path of self-discipline.

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Self-discipline
is the
key to success

Daniel Walter has taught me much as I reach the last remaining pages to his book “The Power of Discipline’. He sums it all up when he says…

Powerful, and so very true. Daniel also explains that self-discipline isn’t something that you call up only when you want something or have some goal in mind.

I only hope to keep these words and their meaning alive via my behavior and my execution of these principles.

Thank you Daniel for a powerful experience.

Thank you YAH ALMIGHTY for the opportunity to acquire such knowledge and the opportunity to apply the knowledge.

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