I'm not sure whether both qualities are natural inherent attributes or something that we cultivate over time.
Perhaps it can be both, depending on individual circumstances. Certain people are naturally confident at certain things.
For example, some people enjoy teaching and are naturally good at it, one can't help but admire their confidence when they explain concepts and share ideas on their field(s) of expertise.
Self-discipline leans a bit towards the latter, which is cultivated over time. Because it entails doing what needs to be done regardless of internal or external fluctuations such as emotional upheavals or say a financial or social crisis.
I think it's a natural human tendency to do the bare minimum to keep the engine running(the path of least resistance) and spend the rest of our time surfing fluctuations like a log caught in ocean currents. This way, life gets less boring although the cost becomes a lack of structure or foundation.
The Sky And The Earth
"Keeping one's feet on the ground and head in the stars" is an expression that encapsulates the balance between being grounded in reality while also having lofty dreams and aspirations.
This expression is a good lens to look from in regards to succeeding at anything. Because it teaches us to maintain a practical perspective on life's challenges and responsibilities while also not losing sight of the bigger picture and the possibilities that lie beyond our current circumstances.
In the context of this post, we can equate 'head in the stars' as confidence and 'feet on the ground' as self-discipline.
There's no road to success without encountering challenges or obstacles and success itself is something that's beyond our current circumstances.
Let's say my success is owning a cottage by the lake. Having my head in the stars, or unwavering confidence, is crucial for envisioning and pursuing this dream of owning a lakeside cottage, but it's equally important to have my feet firmly on the ground.
This translates to self-discipline, the ability to break down aspirations into actionable steps and consistently work towards them.
Simply believing or having the confidence that I'll own a lakeside cottage won't make it materialize. For that to really happen, I need to research the costs involved, explore financing options or ways to generate the necessary income, create a savings plan, and potentially adjust my lifestyle to make the dream a reality.
Self-discipline comes in as the unwavering commitment to persevere through challenges and setbacks on the journey from dream to reality, turning an ambitious vision into a practical roadmap to success.
First, have your head in the stars and dream big. Then, have your feet on the ground and equip yourself with the tools to turn those dreams into tangible achievements.
In Conclusion,
Of course, while both self-discipline and confidence are important for success, they are not the only ingredients. Success also requires a healthy dose of adaptability.
Being adaptable allows us to adjust our approach as needed, especially when it comes to navigating unexpected hurdles and opportunities that will arise along the way.
So, the answer to what's needed to succeed in anything may not just be self-discipline and confidence. Although, these are very important pillars, adaptability could be the crucial pillar that makes success achievable, especially in this modern era.
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