Astounding: This would prove if you’re a self-starter

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Attributed to Thomas Jefferson

Ever thought why we join a gym, get a job, show up on time when it’s irreversible?

Because the alternative, where you’re at a liberty to act as per your own choice, offers you the luxury of rationalising your laziness, procrastination, excuses.

You show up on time at your workplace because you know that it might affect your incentives, promotion, a salary raise – and in the worst case – your boss can even kick you out.

You workout and sweat and gasp in the gym because you know you won’t be able to stand the reproachful glance of your physical instructor.

You reach the airport at 4:00am because you know the flight won’t wait.

You think not about your dishevelled hair or clothes or slip back citing a mild headache.

On the contrary, when you try to self-start, you feel that you’re loading yourself with way more than you have the capacity of.

You leap on the first excuse to delaying efforts on that project.

My cousin’s marriage/religious festivities/house renovation is coming up.

The market is down/pandemic is at its peak/the climate is too hot.

Let me first do some more research/read that book/forge fresh connections.

But in a school or office or army environment you have to work, whether you want it or not.

Whether you feel that you need to talk with your friend or have some R&R – you’re compelled to work at the hour appointed for it.

There’s a time to sleep, time to study, time to have food, time to watch the television and so on.

Feeling tired?

You’re woken up by the fear of getting in trouble. You jump off the bed.

Craving watching a movie?

You don’t have the luxury of television. Burn your eyes by those blue rays.

And so on.

Because you know that emotional effort is tough, you choose to give in to submission.

Yeah, you might think that your boss or the authority or the system/rules are compelling you to do more than what you have the potential of, but you have no option except submitting.

Those who are the best,

Are different from the rest.

The best take initiative. The best learn a skill even if they’re not commanded by anyone. They take surprising initiatives, indulge in tough projects, grab the mike, gravitate to uncertainty, jump in risky waters, take the plunge.

I would want to fit myself in this category.

I would want to show up even when there’s nobody other than myself to reward or penalise me.

Which category of the 2 you would want yourself to fit into?

Go figure.