Just got done with an 1 1/2 hour walk. I was listening to more of that book on self-discipline (SD). I really like his philosophy - at least I think it’s what I’ve needed for 20 years - even if he is kind of an ignorant moron. In the section I listened to, he talked a lot about the importance of taking responsibility.
First, why he’s an ignorant moron: He cited Bill Gates when talking about people who started out with nothing and rose to great heights. This is embarrassing. Bill Gates is a success because his mother made a phone call to the president of IBM. He also talked about how JD Rockefeller taught his children financial responsibility when talking about how leading a life of integrity also leads to success. Again, embarrassing and disgusting. JD Rockefeller proudly taught his children to be ruthless cut-throats. Fuck that guy. And then he wrapped up all this excrement by saying that occasionally corrupt individuals rise to the top of society, but they rarely stay and the American system makes it so that living life the right way is what leads to success.
That is, of course, complete horse shit. But the issue at hand is SD and one thing you have to give to assholes like Gates and Rockefeller is that they were/are disciplined individuals. And I think the author gets a lot of stuff right. Like, for example, at one point, he directs the audience to look around at their life and take responsibility for it because it is a reflection of your decisions and behavior. Of course, what is shitty about that is that I’m currently spending a lot of my time on a mattress on the floor of a little girl’s closet. Ugh.
What it really tells me is how talented and good looking I am. Because the thing is, for the most part, I’ve had a pretty good life despite the fact that I’ve had next to no self-discipline the entire time. I’ve just been floating around like a fucking leaf. What’s sad is to think about how things might have worked out if I had applied myself. Well shiiiit. I really want to apply myself now.
The gist of what I listened to was him talking about how you should give yourself no excuses. Whatever your life is like, it’s on you. That might not be true for everyone, I accept that it’s true for me. And I don’t know if I can fix the things I’ve fucked up. But I definitely have to learn to be happy with who I am. What I hope he eventually gets into is time management. I’m getting old and so I really need to prioritize my time going forward.
My priorities were SD, financial responsibility, and fitness. I’ve been working out twice a day without fail. These workouts are long and easy right now. I really want to avoid injury so I’m giving myself a long time to get back into shape. I will intensify the workouts as I progress. With regards to SD, I’ll continue with this ebook and with this blog and I will continue to be intentional with my decisions. Now for financial responsibility. I have to create this spreadsheet. I don’t want to do this. But I gotta have some self-discipline. Ugh.