--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-discipline is a rigorous process at…" description: "\"Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless.\" — Thomas S. Monson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/thomas-s-monson-409_discipline_self-discipline-is-a-rigorous-process-at_2479124.png" --- # Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of… ![“Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless.” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/thomas-s-monson-409_discipline_self-discipline-is-a-rigorous-process-at_2479124.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/thomas-s-monson-409_discipline_self-discipline-is-a-rigorous-process-at_2479124.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/thomas-s-monson-409_discipline_self-discipline-is-a-rigorous-process-at_2479124.png) > “Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑discipline requires effort; many desire it to be easy, which is unrealistic. **In simple terms:** Discipline is hard work, not effortless. Key Takeaway Accept effort as part of growth. Themes self‑discipline effort expectations Mood motivational realistic Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - fitness training - academic study - career development - personal finance - skill learning Key Concepts growth mindset habit formation resilience Questions to Reflect On - What steps can make disciplined practice more sustainable? - How do we reframe effort as rewarding? A Different Perspective People may feel discouraged by the difficulty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-discipline/) ## Related quotes > [The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person. Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-battle-for-self-discipline-may-leave-you-a-bit-bruised-and/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The thing about throwing a fastball is, you want it to be easy, you want it to be effortless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-beckett/the-thing-about-throwing-a-fastball-is-you-want-it-to-be-easy-you/) [Josh Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-beckett/) > [I just want to be effortless, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-rodrigo/i-just-want-to-be-effortless-i-guess/) [Olivia Rodrigo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-rodrigo/) > [I've been a role model in terms of discipline, and I have always been rigorous and professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-eto-o/i-ve-been-a-role-model-in-terms-of-discipline-and-i-have-always-been/) [Samuel Eto'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-eto-o/) > [The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-battle-for-self-discipline-may-leave-you-a-bit-bruised-and-2/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work toward them every day, will do more to guarantee your success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/your-ability-to-discipline-yourself-to-set-clear-goals-and-then-to/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [... semantics ... is a sober and modest discipline which has no pretensions of being a universal patent-medicine for all the ills and diseases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-tarski/semantics-is-a-sober-and-modest-discipline-which-has-no-pretensions/) [Alfred Tarski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-tarski/) > [Nothing of importance is ever achieved without discipline. I feel myself sometimes not wholly in sympathy with some modern educational theorists, because I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/nothing-of-importance-is-ever-achieved-without-discipline-i-feel/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Shaking off restrictive chains requires action. They cannot be wished away. A declaration will never break chains. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/shaking-off-restrictive-chains-requires-action-they-cannot-be-wished/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [Archaeology, I found, comprehended all manner of excitement and achievement. Adventure is coupled with bookish toil. Romantic excursions go hand in hand with scholarly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/archaeology-i-found-comprehended-all-manner-of-excitement-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Instilling a sense of self-discipline and focus when the kids are younger makes it so much easier by the time they get into high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-chua/instilling-a-sense-of-self-discipline-and-focus-when-the-kids-are/) [Amy Chua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-chua/) > [If you ask ... the man in the street ... the human significance of mathematics, the answer of the world will be, that mathematics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassius-jackson-keyser/if-you-ask-the-man-in-the-street-the-human-significance-of/) [Cassius Jackson Keyser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassius-jackson-keyser/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-hope-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-that-every-young-man-who-receives/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) W.J. Turner > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas S. 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