by Michael Jackson was one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time. With estimated sales of over 350 million records worldwide, 13 Grammy Awards, and countless other accolades, Jackson’s stellar career spanned over four decades. His musical talent was undeniable, but his extraordinary success was also largely due to his incredible discipline and work ethic. Jackson’s relentless drive demonstrates how discipline and dedication can help anyone achieve their dreams.
From a young age, Jackson channeled his energy into perfecting his craft. As a child star with the Jackson 5, he would routinely rehearse dance steps and musical arrangements until late into the night. Even at a young age, Jackson was completely devoted to becoming the best entertainer possible. According to his choreographers, he absorbed complex dance routines with ease but would still insist on practicing each small hand gesture and foot shuffle until it was completely precise. He didn’t just want to be good – he wanted to be perfection.
This tireless practice continued as Jackson’s solo career blossomed. Before embarking on a grueling 55-show tour for his Bad album, Jackson pushed himself through months of vocal training and dance rehearsals to build up strength and stamina. During the tour, he continued honing his craft by rehearsing up to 8 hours per day. While lesser performers would get burned out from such a schedule, Jackson’s discipline allowed him to deliver spellbinding shows every night.
Even at the height of his fame, Jackson was never content to rest on his laurels. Shortly after the record-breaking success of Thriller, Jackson immediately began conceptualizing his next album and how he could once again revolutionize both music and performance. This striving for constant improvement resulted in pioneering short films like Smooth Criminal and genre-blending songs like Black or White. Jackson’s discipline allowed him to continuously evolve, surprise audiences, and set new standards for popular music.
Beyond just music and performance, Jackson maintained discipline in all aspects of his life. He was a strict vegetarian and only fuelled his body with healthy foods to maintain his vigor. Jackson was also deeply spiritual and meditated for hours every day. He practiced positive thinking and visualization techniques to strengthen his motivation and creativity. Even during tours where his schedule was jam-packed, Jackson made time for quiet reflection and renewing his spirit.
By maintaining discipline not just in his career but his whole lifestyle, Jackson had the energy and focus needed to keep developing his talents. He was not swayed by the typical distractions of fame and fortune but remained steadfast in his higher calling as an artist. Even whenproblems arose in his personal life, Jackson’s discipline allowed him to compartmentalize and pour himself into his work. While natural talent gave Jackson a head start, it was discipline that made him a legend.
For all artists and dreamers, Michael Jackson exemplifies that discipline and dedication are crucial ingredients for transformational success. Jackson embodied the old adage that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. He was unbelievably gifted, yes, but also unwaveringly committed to his craft. So we too must set clear goals, practice deliberately, build self-control, and train our minds and bodies to overcome everyday temptations and distractions.
Like Jackson, we must repeatedly visualize our grandest visions to make them real. We must be willing to sacrifice short-term pleasures for long-term fulfillment. We must block out naysayers and persevere through setbacks. With the right amount of self-discipline, we can all achieve excellence. The more we dedicate ourselves to our life’s work, the more rewarding and magical our lives will become.
Michael Jackson’s story teaches us that success is not just about talent or luck but about having the right mindset and putting in the hard work. By applying a similar discipline to developing our unique skills and passion, we can leave behind our own legacy and inspire future generations. Jackson achieved wondrous things because he followed his bliss relentlessly. He tuned out negative voices and channeled all his energy into what he loved most – singing, dancing, creating magic. We must do the same.
The first step is choosing a dream that sets our soul on fire. It should be something we can envision devoting years to mastering. Something that taps into our deepest joy and purpose on this planet. For Jackson it was music, for us it will be our own calling.
Once we’ve chosen our path, the real work begins. We must plant the seeds of discipline to keep us going when motivation flickers. Here are 5 strategies to cultivate strong self-discipline like Jackson:
- Set goals and break them down into smaller milestones. Define a timeline for achieving each milestone to maintain urgency.
- Remove distractions and unnecessary obligations that don’t serve your goals. Audit how you spend your time each day.
- Create a routine and daily rituals to conserve willpower. Plan breaks to recharge. Track progress to stay motivated.
- Overprepare so discipline becomes easier. Anticipate challenges and have plans to overcome them when they arise.
- Visualize the end result vividly. When discipline falters, recall the vision to spike motivation. Surround yourself with visual reminders.
With intense practice, little excuses, and near spiritual faith in his talents, Michael Jackson transformed himself from a prodigy to a legend. Likewise, we must be tenacious in chasing our greatness and unwavering in our discipline. This is the mindset required to exceed our perceived limitations. Jackson once said, “I just try to create magic – that’s what I try to do. And it seems that you do your
