365 Days With Self-Discipline: 365 Life-Altering Thoughts on Self-Control, Mental Resilience, and Success

Day 129: On Everyday Practic e

I mistakenly only associated the word “practice” with art forms such

as music, dance or painting. I did not see dealing with a cranky child, an

over-burdened  work  schedule,  or  a  tight  monthly  budget  as  actions  that

required applying the same principles as did learning music.

—Thomas Sterner

 

123

You  can  view  everyday  annoyances  in  two  ways:  as  frustrating

experiences or as opportunities to practice your willpower.

A stranger bumped into you and didn’t apologize? Practice your self-

control by wishing him or her a good day.

Your  child  is  misbehaving  and  you  feel  like  being  a  parent  is

sometimes  too  much  to  handle?  Consider  it  an  exercise  in  manifesting

mental toughness.

You  have  so  much  work  to  do  and  then  your  car  breaks  down,  an

unexpected bill comes, and a friend needs your help? Don’t wish there were

more than 24 hours in a day — accept it as a challenge in improving your

productivity  so  that  you  can  get  everything  done  on  time  despite  new

difficulties thrown at you from every direction.

If  you  take  advantage  of  every  problem  and  look  at  it  as  a  means  of

self-improvement, you’ll improve your self-discipline and mental resistance

just by going about your day.

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