Discipline = Freedom | 5 Minute Video

Discipline = Freedom | 5 Minute Video

Summary

Key Principles for Success

There are no shortcuts to success, and taking the easy road often leads to more pain and struggle in the long run. Success comes from facing challenges head-on and adopting key principles that have been tested and proven in various arenas, including the military.

Three Key Principles

  • Discipline Equals Freedom: Discipline is the path to freedom, as it allows individuals to overcome excuses and achieve their goals. It is a choice that can be made every day, and it is more reliable than motivation.
  • Stay Humble: Humility is essential for success, as it allows individuals to do things they don’t want to do and to learn from their experiences. It is not the same as lack of confidence, but rather a willingness to put ego aside and do what needs to be done.
  • Take Ownership: Taking ownership of everything in life, also known as “Extreme Ownership,” means casting no blame and making no excuses. Instead, individuals take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and work to fix problems and improve their situation.

Conclusion

By adopting these three principles – discipline, humility, and ownership – individuals can achieve success and freedom. It requires choosing the hard path, being responsible, working hard, and making sacrifices. However, the outcome is worth it, and nothing can stop those who follow these principles.


Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
Discipline The practice of training oneself to do things in a controlled and habitual way, often to achieve a specific goal. “She developed a daily routine that required discipline to stick to her diet and exercise plan.”
Freedom The state of being able to act and make decisions without constraint or restriction. “After years of hard work, he finally felt a sense of freedom to pursue his passions.”
Humility The quality of being modest and unassuming, often characterized by a willingness to learn and listen. “Despite his success, he remained humble and open to feedback from his colleagues.”
Ownership The state of being responsible for something, often characterized by a sense of accountability and control. “Taking ownership of the project meant that she was willing to accept both the credit and the blame for its outcome.”
Extreme Ownership A leadership philosophy that emphasizes taking complete responsibility for one’s actions and outcomes, without making excuses or blaming others. “The company’s CEO practiced extreme ownership, taking full responsibility for the company’s failures and successes.”
Success The achievement of a desired goal or outcome, often characterized by a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. “After years of hard work, she finally achieved success in her career, feeling proud and satisfied with her accomplishments.”
Motivation The driving force behind an individual’s actions and decisions, often characterized by a desire to achieve a specific goal or outcome. “His motivation to succeed came from a desire to provide for his family and create a better life for himself.”
Accountability The state of being responsible for one’s actions and outcomes, often characterized by a sense of answerability and transparency. “The company’s accountability measures ensured that employees were responsible for their actions and outcomes, and that mistakes were learned from and improved upon.”

Watch The Video

Discipline = Freedom | 5 Minute Video

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the phrase ‘Discipline Equals Freedom’ mean in the context of success?

A) Freedom from all responsibilities and rules
B) The ability to do whatever one wants without consequences
C) That discipline is the path to achieving goals and overcoming excuses
D) That freedom is the key to being disciplined

2. Which of the following is a key characteristic of humility as described in the text?

A) A lack of confidence in one’s abilities
B) The need to always be right and never admit mistakes
C) A willingness to put ego aside and learn from experiences
D) The tendency to blame others for one’s failures

3. What is meant by ‘Extreme Ownership’ in the context of success principles?

A) Taking credit for all successes but blaming others for failures
B) Making excuses for one’s mistakes and refusing to take responsibility
C) Casting no blame and taking responsibility for all actions and outcomes
D) Letting others take control and make decisions for you

4. According to the text, what is required to achieve success and freedom through the three key principles?

A) Choosing the easy path and avoiding hard work and sacrifices
B) Being irresponsible and blaming others for one’s problems
C) Working hard, being responsible, and making sacrifices
D) Relying solely on motivation rather than discipline

5. What is the outcome for individuals who follow the three key principles of discipline, humility, and ownership?

A) They will struggle and fail to achieve their goals
B) They will achieve moderate success but not freedom
C) Nothing can stop them from achieving success and freedom
D) They will become overconfident and arrogant

Answer Key:

1. C
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. C


Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Gerund Phrases as Subjects

Gerund phrases function as nouns and can serve as subjects in sentences. A gerund phrase begins with a gerund (a verb form ending in “-ing” that functions as a noun) and may include other words that modify it or complement it. For example, in the sentence “Taking the easy road often leads to more pain and struggle,” “Taking the easy road” is a gerund phrase acting as the subject of the sentence. It is equivalent to a noun and can be replaced by a noun to demonstrate its function: “This approach often leads to more pain and struggle.” Gerund phrases can also be found in sentences like “Facing challenges head-on is essential for success,” where “Facing challenges head-on” is the subject. Understanding and using gerund phrases correctly can enhance sentence structure and clarity.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct option for each question:

  1. In the sentence “Making sacrifices is necessary for achieving success,” what part of speech is “Making sacrifices”?

    A) A verb phrase

    B) A gerund phrase acting as the subject

    C) An adjective phrase

    D) An adverb phrase
  2. Which of the following sentences uses a gerund phrase as its subject?

    A) She eats breakfast every morning.

    B) Taking responsibility is crucial for personal growth.

    C) The dog is very happy.

    D) They will arrive tomorrow.
  3. Identify the gerund phrase in the sentence: “By adopting these principles, individuals can achieve success.”

    A) achieve success

    B) adopting these principles

    C) can achieve

    D) by adopting
  4. What is the function of “Choosing the hard path” in the sentence “Choosing the hard path requires discipline and perseverance”?

    A) It is a verb phrase.

    B) It is an adjective phrase.

    C) It is a gerund phrase acting as the subject.

    D) It is an adverb phrase.
  5. In the sentence “Overcoming excuses is more reliable than motivation,” what is “Overcoming excuses”?

    A) A noun phrase

    B) A gerund phrase acting as the object

    C) A verb phrase

    D) A gerund phrase acting as the subject

Answer Key:

  1. B) A gerund phrase acting as the subject
  2. B) Taking responsibility is crucial for personal growth.
  3. B) adopting these principles
  4. C) It is a gerund phrase acting as the subject.
  5. D) A gerund phrase acting as the subject