My son, Zion, has game balls, cards, and photos of me in his room from my NFL days. I collected all sorts of memorabilia during my playing career with the Saints, Browns, and Raiders. But truthfully, my kids didn’t care much about football until our family arrived in New York in May 2025. I took a position in the Giants’ front office. My kids didn’t see me in my prime as a player, but I want them to see me in my prime now as an executive. I get to bring them with me to the facility sometimes, and we have a great time watching the team practice.
A lesson that I hope sinks in with them is one I learned while wearing shoulder pads. Success comes from sustained discipline. Everyone in the league is talented. Everyone has insane skills. But the guys who thrive are the ones who stay disciplined for the long haul. It’s easy to stick with a workout plan or strict diet for a short season, but any measure of long-term success requires discipline over time. Even if you aren’t an NFL player, this lesson still applies to you. If you crave long-term success, commit to long-term discipline. Here are 4 tips to stay disciplined.
1. Remember your “who.”
We all need someone to motivate us. For me, it was always my family. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer during my college years, he was often too weak to walk and had to be pushed in a wheelchair to get to my games. But, without fail, he always found enough energy to stand up at the end of the games and cheer me on to a strong finish. When I looked over and saw that, I got a little bump of energy from it. I gave maximum effort because he was giving his all to see me succeed. He was my “who.”
When you find it easiest to quit, remember your “who.” Maybe it’s your family, like it is for me. It could be a coach or a friend too. Having a “who” is one way to stay disciplined. It’ll be very easy to give up when things get hard, but staying disciplined is doable when we remember who we’re trying to make proud.
2. Remember your “why.”
Why did you set a goal in the first place? Why do you care so much? Just like your “who,” your “why” will fuel discipline. My dad was a great example of this too. I’ll never forget the night he came home from his job as a cab driver, and our refrigerator was empty. Without thinking twice, he grabbed his keys, hopped in his cab, and drove routes for an additional hour to earn a few bucks. He came back with a bucket of chicken for us to eat. He didn’t ask for applause. We were his “why.”
My dad grinded at work so we didn’t go hungry. He stayed disciplined, working demanding jobs without complaining, never losing sight of his “why.” I counsel these NFL players now, and I tell them to do the same thing. Without a “why,” you have no heading. And even if you have a “why,” but forget it, you’ve abandoned your rudder. When failures mount or obstacles feel insurmountable, remembering your “why” helps you stay disciplined.
3. Be willing to switch things up.
My daughter Ariya’s name means “Lion of God.” She’s not afraid of a good challenge, which became obvious when she decided to ride her bike. I took off the training wheels and jogged behind her, holding the seat to steady her at first. But it only took about a mile for her to be self-sufficient. Not so with Zion. I bet I ran behind him holding his bike seat for 300 miles, and he just couldn’t get it. Finally, I took off the pedals and just had him scoot with his feet. He was able to learn how to balance, and everything clicked from there.
Staying disciplined doesn’t always mean doing the same thing over and over again. Sometimes, discipline benefits from adaptation. You’re not abandoning your goals if you switch things up after being unsuccessful. What worked with Ariya didn’t work with Zion, so we found something that did. My pivot got Zion rolling, which was all that mattered. Don’t get down on yourself if you end up needing Plan B.
4. Embrace setbacks.
The NFL highs are unmatched. I was fortunate to win a Super Bowl in 2009 as a member of the Saints, and we made the playoffs again the following year. But the lows are pretty defeating. My other teams didn’t play in the postseason. During my career, I also suffered major injuries and had setbacks. I’d be lying if I said they didn’t get me down. But I never stayed down. Success isn’t guaranteed, but to have any chance at it, you must embrace discipline.
When setbacks come in waves, discipline must match the moment. It required discipline to do rehab after my ACL injury. It requires discipline to get back in the weight room after a loss. Every new battle is an opportunity to stay disciplined. Discipline says, “If I come up short, I’ve predetermined to get back up.” Don’t beat yourself up over failures. Embrace them and face them, doing what’s required to improve your odds of being successful in the future. Given the choice between talent, luck, and discipline, it’s a no-brainer.
Sound off: What season of life taught you how to stay disciplined?
Huddle up with your kids and ask: “What does it mean to be disciplined?”