Discipline in Freedom

“The highest form of wealth is the ability to wake up every morning and say, “I can do whatever I want today.”

- Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

That's what success can give you. Wealth. And with wealth, you have "the ability to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, for as long as you want.” (Housel)

But it is during these times of plenty that you should be more disciplined.

You have more distractions and temptations to avoid. Fancy dinners and drinks that you couldn't afford before are now an everyday option. You can sleep in and watch Netflix all day. You can travel, see the world for 6 months. You can buy a mansion, a new car, 10 pairs of leather boots—even when you don't need them.

Why avoid those pleasures?

Because you'll lose your wealth faster than you've built it. Because letting go of self-discipline affects other areas of your life too—your health, your relationships, your reputation, your legacy.

And because good things go. It won't always be perfect. Something always happens. And those good days are the best days to prepare for crisis.

It takes more discipline because you can choose not to be disciplined. To let go. To waste away what you've worked for. You're no longer forced to be disciplined. It's a choice that takes incredible willpower.

In times of plenty, enjoy. But never let go of discipline. It got you there—and it's what will keep you there.