"Todos debemos sufrir una de dos cosas el dolor de la disciplina o el dolor del arrepentimiento"

The essence of this quote is pretty straightforward: in life, you can either choose the hard work and effort that comes with discipline or face the sorrow and disappointment that stem from regret. It’s about making tough decisions now to ensure you’re not left wishing you had done things differently later on.

This idea has been around for ages, but it was articulated by Jim Rohn, a well-known personal development guru. He often talked about making deliberate choices to create a better future. Rohn emphasized that discipline hurts now, but regret hurts later and usually more deeply. Imagine a student deciding whether to study for an exam or binge-watch a TV series. If they choose the series, they might enjoy the moment, but come exam day, they could end up kicking themselves for not studying.

Think about athletes—those folks who wake up before dawn to train, who follow strict diets, and who push their bodies to the limit. Take Michael Phelps, for instance. He’s not just naturally talented; he’s a guy who honed his discipline. Phelps would swim for hours daily, sacrificed junk food, and missed out on social events. He chose the tough path of discipline. And look where it got him—countless gold medals and a place in history.

Now, how do you make this wisdom work for you? Start with small steps. Set clear, achievable goals. Maybe you want to get fit. Instead of committing to an hour at the gym every day, start with 20 minutes of exercise. Gradually build that up. It’s easier to stick to and less intimidating. Create routines that become second nature. If you make something a habit, it’s less about forcing yourself and more about just doing it.

Imagine you've always wanted to write a book. You’ve got the idea, but you keep putting it off. You’re busy, tired, or just not in the mood. Fast forward a few years—you're flipping through your journal and find those initial notes for your book. You feel a pang of regret. What if you’d spent just 30 minutes a day writing? Think about where you’d be now. That's the pain of regret.

On the flip side, imagine you start setting aside a bit of time each evening to write. Even if it’s just a paragraph. Over time, those paragraphs add up. Eventually, you’ve got a chapter, then several chapters, and before you know it, a full manuscript. You’ll look back and feel proud of your discipline, rather than wallowing in what-ifs.

Life’s full of these choices. Whether it’s studying, exercising, saving money, or nurturing relationships, every decision to stick to something challenging pays off. It’s about short-term pain for long-term gain. Think about your future self. What do you want them to thank you for? The discipline pill might be bitter and tough to swallow, but it’s a whole lot easier to digest than the heavy heart of regret.

So, next time you’re faced with a choice between the easy way out and the disciplined route, remember Michael Phelps, think about your unwritten book, or whatever big dreams you have. Choose the path that might be tough now but leads to a future free from regret. Your future self will thank you.