Train Your Will Before It Counts

A note to young leaders.

Millions of people dream of fame and fortune who can’t even get themselves out of bed at the same time each day.

Success is a function of the will.

And will power is a muscle – the only way it grows is when it’s stretched.

When Muhammad Ali was asked by a sports writer how many sit-ups he did each day in the lead-up to a fight, he replied:

“I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that’s when I start counting, because that’s when it really counts.”

Stretch your will to the point of breaking.

Do so often – when it doesn’t really matter – so that on the rare occasion that it does, you are equal to the task.