Annie Dillard Quotes

I commit to the controllables. That's one of the things I live by.

I think I just have to control what I can control. I can control myself. I can't control anything else but what I do. I definitely know I can do a better job at that.

You are your own master, you make your own future. Therefore discipline yourself as a horse-dealer trains a thoroughbred

I'm not that in control of myself that I could be specific about exactly the way I'm doing everything as it happens. I'm just trying my best.

For me, I think that I don't like feeling pressure from outside sources. I'd rather put the pressure on myself and push myself to do it as good as I can.

You can never control other people. You can only control yourself. I have definitely learned that.

The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline.

I had to learn, really, how to rein in my energies and discipline myself. And I found it very very useful. I rebelled against it at first, but it's a good thing to have.

I try not to do anything I don't like, so I stay motivated pretty easily.

There's no one to stop you but yourself.

You just have to take control of your own performance.

Discipline yourself, and others won't need to.

I can't tell anybody else how to run their life or their business, but I really believe I've got a good bead on myself.

I can only control the way I play.

We can control how we run, and that's about it.

I just try to control what I can control.

It's very difficult to regulate yourself, and if you learn to do that, well, it starts to spill over.

I only can control what I can control.

I just control what I control.

If you are willing to discipline yourself, the physical universe won't need to discipline you.

The least lack of discipline starts to erode our self-esteem.

Knowing that we can control our own behaviour makes it more likely that we will.

I've made a kind of pact with myself where I said, It doesn't matter what it is as long as I'm acting.

A man must drive his energy, not be driven by it.

There is no other way to change something or someone for the better except to occupy it first. The only person you can occupy is yourself. That is why the only person who can change you for the better is you. Without your decision to change and your commitment to change, you will not change.