I do it for the mirror

 ‘There is no better measure of a person than what he does when he is absolutely free to choose.’

-Wilma Askinas

‘What we think or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence.  The only consequence is what we do.’

-John Ruskin

‘The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow.’

-William J.H. Boetcker

‘The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses.  It is won behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.’

-Muhammad Ali

Discipline:  Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.  Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.

Most people that know me would call me an intensely disciplined person.  They just don’t necessarily know what drives my disciplined behavior.  Most think that it is because of my intense goal setting routines and focus on success and achievement.  That assessment isn’t far from the truth, but it is actually a little more personal.

I am disciplined for the mirror.  When I look myself in the eye, I want to be able to see someone that backs up what he says.  I want to be able to see someone who walks his talk.  I can see that right there in the mirror.  I know if I held all of my commitments or not.  I know if I took short cuts or not.

If I don’t see someone who is walking their talk; if I don’t see someone that his holding up their end of the bargain; then what does everyone else see?  Then what do my kids see?

Through the course of my life I have failed my share of times.  The failures that haunt me the most are when I didn’t walk my talk.  It is when I did not make the most out of opportunities that I had.  They are failures of discipline.

Whatever is important to you, have discipline in your approach to it.  If it is financial and business success, have discipline in how you spend your time working.  If it is being a great parent, make sure you spend quality time with your kids.  If it is being a certain weight, have discipline in your diet and exercise

I do it for the mirror.

Kyle C. Ryan