Do you ever wished you had achieved more in life, or that your circumstances were better? In No Excuses! Brian Tracy reveals how you can harness the power of self-discipline to unlock success in every area of your life. Whether you aim to excel in your career, improve your personal life, or achieve your dreams, this book offers practical advice and actionable steps to help you realize your full potential. In this free summary of No Excuses by Brian Tracy, you will get an overview of 21 applicable tips to improve your self-discipline and self-mastery.
No Excuses by Brian Tracy: The Power of Self-Discipline
Harnessing the Power of Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is the ability to do what is necessary, regardless of how you feel. It involves self-mastery: to manage impulses, align actions with long-term goals, and resist temptations that derail you.
Specifically, you must:
- Define clear goals: Understand who you want to become and what you want to achieve, then work backward to what to do now.
- Resist instant gratification: Resist short-term pleasures and accept short-term sacrifices for bigger long-term gains.
- Avoid taking the path of least resistance, cutting corners, or choosing the easiest way out.
Self-discipline is a habit that’s developed through regular practice. Each time you say “no” to excuses or temptations to do what you should, you strengthen your self-discipline, self-control, and self-mastery. These in turn improve your self-esteem, self-respect, and self-image, with rippling effects on all areas of your life.
In this free summary, we’ll cover the 21 strategies from No Excuses by Brian Tracy. These ideas will be presented in 3 sections, each containing 7 tactics, aimed at bolstering self-discipline for personal growth, professional success, and quality of life.
For each section, we shall address 1 strategy in detail, with an overview of the remaining strategies. Do get our 19-page summary bundle of Brian Tracy’s No Excuses!, with details on all 21 strategies, presented in text, infographic and audio formats for accelerated learning.
The Power of Self-Discipline for Personal Success
Use self-discipline to cultivate inner strength, determination, and self-control, and become an excellent person. This in itself is the best reward you can have, beyond any financial or material gains.
1. Define and Commit to Success
According to Aristotle, our ultimate goal in life is to be happy. So, start by defining what success means to you.
- Envision your ideal career, family, relationships, health, and financial situation. Write down what each looks and feels like.
- Identify 1 key discipline in each area that could transform your aspirations into reality.
Once you know what you want, commit to pay the price:
- Significant success demands persistent hard work, but the results are well worth it. Just consider how people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett achieved massive wealth and success despite their humble beginnings. So can you.
- Accelerate your growth by learning from the best—seek advice from successful people who have achieved what you wish to achieve, learn from their books, audios and videos, and rigorously apply those insights to achieve your own success in life.
Below is an outline of the remaining 6 strategies for harnessing self-discipline for personal success. Get details on all 21 sets of tips in our full No Excuses! summary!
2. Cultivate Your Character
Your character is the sum of your choices and decisions in life. In our full summary of No Excuses! by Brian Tracy, we explain how to learn and live your values in 3 ways, and understand/improve 3 aspects of your personality.
3. Embrace Self-Responsibility
When things go wrong, don’t complain, criticize or assign blame. Take 100% responsibility for your actions and life.
4. Act Daily on Your Key Goals
Commit your goals to paper, then work consistently toward them. Find out how to set and achieve goals effectively using 7 key steps, then apply them to achieve your most important goal in the next 12 months.
5. Maximize Your Earning Potential
Your “earning ability” reflects your ability to create value, and there is no limit to how far you can grow that ability. This is your greatest financial asset, because it allows you to earn more money and recover from any loss. In our complete summary of Brian Tracy’s No Excuses! we cover several practical steps to grow your immense potential.
6. Conquer Your Worries and Fears
The best way to overcome fear is to do exactly what you’re afraid to do, and take purposeful action toward your goals. Get tips on how to do that, and use the power of self-discipline to overcome various fears and worries!
7. Persist with Discipline
Persistence means consistently working toward your goals despite challenges and setbacks. Each time you push yourself to do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it, you boost your confidence and self-esteem, making it easier to keep going.
The Power of Self-Discipline for Professional Success
To become the top 10% in your field, become a better leader and producer, manage your time for maximum results, and earn significantly more.
8. Focus on High-Value Tasks
Top performers prioritize high-value tasks and complete them well and quickly. As a result, they get a 10-25% annual income increase compared to 3% for the average employee.
Apply the Pareto Principle to identify the top 20% of tasks that deliver 80% of your results, then focus on them single-mindedly.
Use the “Law of Three” to focus on the 3 top things that create 90% of your work contributions.
• List everything you do in a typical work week. Then, identify the top 3 tasks that account for 90% of your value to the company.
• Check with your boss to align expectations. Then, focus on those high-value tasks daily. Free up time for them by delegating lower-value tasks. Stop doing tasks with little/no value.
When you’re at work, focus on working. Avoid idle chatter, internet surfing, or long breaks.
• Earn the reputation of being the most hardworking employee. Arrive early and leave late. When your boss assigns you a task, finish it faster and better than expected, and ask for more responsibilities.
• Observe how top earners in your company dress and behave, and use them as role models.
Now, let’s take a glimpse at the remaining 6 strategies to harness self-discipline for professional success.
9. Lead with Vision and Integrity
Great leaders are clear on the results they must deliver, and can align people behind their vision to make it a reality. Find out how you can use self-discipline to fulfill 7 principles of great leadership, as detailed in No Excuses!
10. Master Business Fundamentals
At some point in our lives, most of us will work in a business, or start our own business. And, business success involves hard work, dedication, and lots of trial-and-error–all of which require self-discipline.
11. Enhance Your Sales Skills
Sales is the lifeblood of any business. Without revenue, a business cannot survive, which is why top salespeople earn significantly more than the average employee. How do we improve sales skills throughout the organizations, and become truly excellent at selling? More in the full summary of No Excuses! Brian Tracy.
12. Manage Your Finances Wisely
Many people are broke or in debt because they spend every dollar they have, or buy on credit. In our full 19-page summary of No Excuses by Brian Tracy, we address how to change your mindset and achieve your financial goals through the power of self-discipline.
13. Optimize Time Management
Time that is wasted is lost forever, so prioritize and use your time wisely. Learn various strategies to maximize your returns on time, including the Pareto Principle and the A-B-C-D-E System.
14. Excel at Problem Solving
Problems are inevitable in life, so get good at solving problems before they derail your plans. In our full summary, you’ll learn Brian Tracy’s 9-step formula to solve any problem, and increase your value to any organization.
The Power of Self-Discipline for Quality of Life
Self-discipline helps you to become happier, healthier, enjoy better relationships, and have a peace of mind.
15. Prioritize Personal Happiness
If you’re unhappy, no amount of wealth matters. Success is measured by your happiness, which comes from self-discipline and feeling in control of your life.
• We feel discontent if we see a gap between where we are and where we want to be. But we feel happy as long as we’re making progressing towards our goals.
• According to psychologists, people with an internal locus of control tend to be happier, because they believe they can always change their situation, and this sense of control enhances their happiness and well-being. By contrast, those with an external locus of control believe they’re controlled by external factors (like their bosses, jobs, or circumstances), leading to a sense of helplessness.
To be happy, build on 5 ingredients that mirror Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- Good health and positive energy to do what you enjoy.
- Happy relationships with loved ones, including your spouse, family, and friends.
- Meaningful work that you’re good at, well-paid for, allows you to contribute, and gives you fulfillment. Find a role that allows you to contribute whole-heartedly.
- Financial independence which removes financial stress and worry, and gives you freedom and security. Take responsibility for your financial health.
- Self-actualization, where you realize your full potential and become your best self.
16. Maintain Optimal Health
Today, most of the common causes of early deaths—such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and traffic accidents—are partially within your control. Learn to live a long, healthy life by building on 5Ps.
17. Commit to Physical Fitness
Aim for 200-300 minutes of exercise per week, which translates to 30-60 minutes of exercise, 5-7 times a week. Check out our complete No Excuses! summary for tips to maintain an exercise regime.
18. Nurture a Healthy Marriage
It takes self-discipline and commitment to build a long-term, loving relationship. Brian Tracy’s No Excuses! includes tips to strengthen your relationships and make your marriage work.
19. Guide Your Children with Care
Parenting is one of the most crucial roles you’ll ever have–it affects the type of adults your children grow up to become, with repercussions for future generations. Find out how you can harness self-discipline to raise children with good character, strong values, and self-discipline in your child.
20. Cultivate Strong Friendships and Relationships
Learn how to build solid relationships and improve your self-image, to true happiness and success in life.
21. Achieve True Peace of Mind
Success in the “outer world” requires self-discipline to focus, learn, and work hard towards your goals. On the other hand, success in the “inner world” requires self-discipline to let go of things that disrupt inner peace and happiness. We elaborate on what this entails (and how self-discipline comes into the picture).
Let’s recap all 21 tips visually at a glance:
Getting the Most from No Excuses!
If you’d like to zoom in on the ideas above and get more detailed insights, examples and actionable tips, do check out our full book summary bundle that includes an infographic, 19-page text summary, and a 32-minute audio summary.
This book is written in many short chapters, each focusing on practical strategies for self-discipline across different areas of life. Brian Tracy includes additional tips and exercises at the end of each chapter to help you apply the concepts (several of which have been incorporated in this summary). You can purchase the book here or visit For more details, please visit briantracy.com for more details
Looking for more resources to help improve your self-discipline and willpower for greater successes in life? Do check out our free summaries for:
• Can’t Hurt Me: Learn how David Goggins—a retired Navy SEAL, a Guinness world record holder, and an ultramarathon runner—builds mental toughness to transform his mind, body, and spirit.
• The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal: Get perspectives on what willpower is and isn’t, and lean how to improve self-control, overcome distraction, temptation and procrastination.
• Eat That Frog!: In this other book by Brian Tracy, he shares 21 tips specifically for overcoming procrastination.
Who Should Read This Book
• People who struggle to manage their time, energy, money, and are frustrated with their life, career, and/or relationships;
• Anyone who wishes to improve their self-discipline, overcome procrastination, and enjoy greater successes and fulfillment in all aspects of life.
No Excuses! Chapters
See All Chapters (Click to expand)
Our summaries are reworded and reorganized for clarity and conciseness. Here’s the full chapter listing from No Excuses by by Brian Tracy, to give an overview of the original content structure in the book.
Part I – Self Discipline and Personal Success
Chapter 1 – Self Discipline and Success
Describe Your Ideal Life
Do Your Own Thing
Join the Top 20 Percent
Starting with Nothing
Hard Work Is the Key
The Great Law
Success Is Predictable
The Secrets of Success
Pay the Price
Learn from the Experts
Mental and Physical Fitness Need to Be Ongoing
Become All You Can Be
Success Is Its Own Reward
Chapter 2 – Self Discipline and Character
The Great Virtues
The Test of Character
The Big Payoff
The Development of Character
The Structure of Personality
Always Behave Consistently
Do the Right Thing
What You Dwell Upon Grows
Chapter 3 – Self Discipline and Responsibility
From Childhood to Maturity
Get Over the Mistakes Your Parents Made
The Fatal Fallacy
An Attitude of Irresponsibility
Eliminating Negative Emotions
Psychosomatic Illness
Blaming Is Easy
The Antidote to Negative Emotions
Money and Emotions
Responsibility and Control
Never Complain, Never Explain
Self Mastery and Self Control – The Only Antidote Is Action
Chapter 4 – Self Discipline and Goals
The 3 Percent Factor
Multiply Your Chances of Success
The Discipline of Writing
Success Versus Failure Mechanisms
Take Control of Your Life
The Seven Step Method to Achieving Your Goals
The Ten Goal Exercise
Select One Goal
Make a Plan
Use “Mindstorming” to Get Started
The Great Law of Cause and Effect
Chapter 5 – Self Discipline and Personal Excellence
Your Biggest Investment
You Are the President
What Got You Here Won’t Get You Any Further
Join the Top 20 Percent
No Limits on Your Potential
The Keys to the Twenty First Century
Ordinary into Extraordinary
Make a Decision
Follow the Leaders, Not the Followers
The Answers Have All Been Found
Set High Income as a Goal
Use the 3 Percent Formula to Invest in Yourself
Three Simple Steps to Become the Best
The Achievement of Mastery
Talent Is Not Enough
Two Hours Each Day Will Get You to the Top
Form the Habit of Continuous Learning
You Can Be Rich or Poor: It’s Your Decision
Increase Your Income 1,000 Percent
One Half of 1 Percent Per Week
26 Percent Better Each Year
Seven Steps to the Top
Be the Best!
Chapter 6 – Self Discipline and Courage
Fears Can Be Unlearned
Fear Paralyzes Action
Do the Opposite
Visualize Yourself as Unafraid
Learn to Speak on Your Feet
Eliminate Two Fears at Once
Confront Your Fears
Move Toward the Fear
Leaders Have Two Types of Courage
Deal With the Fear Directly
The Disaster Report
The Real Antidote
Chapter 7 – Self Discipline and Persistence
The Reward of Persistence
Your Ability to Respond
Optimism Gives You Resilience
Be Proactive Versus Reactive
Look for the Gift
Resolve in Advance
Part II – Self Discipline in Business, Sales, and Finances
Chapter 8 – Self Discipline and Work
Separate the Relevant from the Irrelevant
Develop an Excellent Reputation
The Law of Three Helps You Prioritize
Calculate Your Hourly Rate
Get on the Same Page About What Work Is Most Important
Work All the Time You Work
Who Works Hardest? The Secret Survey
Pay the Price
The Forty Plus Formula
Look the Part: Dress for Success
Chapter 9 – Self Discipline and Leadership
Four Stages of Development
Leaders Have Vision
A Leader Is a Standard Bearer
Walk the Talk
Set the Standards
Set Values and Principles
Seven Principles of Leadership
The Inevitable Crisis
Self Control and Leadership
Leadership Qualities
Leaders Rise to the Top
Chapter 10 – Self Discipline and Business
The Law of Competition
The Customer Is Always Right
You Must Be Better
Challenge Your Assumptions
Identify Your Ideal Customer
Know Your True Costs
The Purpose of a Business Is to Please Its Customers
Set High Standards
Think About the Solution
Chapter 11 – Self Discipline and Sales
Business Success or Failure
The Discipline of Generating Sales
Overcome Your Fear of Rejection
Increase Face Time with Customers and Prospects
Remain Positive and Optimistic
How to Double Your Sales Income
Control Your Sales Activities
Improve Your Ratios
Keys to Sales Success
Start Early
Set Higher Standards for Yourself
All Sales Skills Are Learnable
Chapter 12 – Self Discipline and Money
The Reasons for Financial Failure
Spending Makes You Happy
Rewire Your Responses About Money
Associate Happiness with Saving
Save Throughout Your Lifetime
Practice the 1 Percent Formula
The Payoff Is Tremendous
Income Increases Don’t Help
Practice the Wedge Principle
The Miracle of Compound Interest
Chapter 13 – Self Discipline and Time Management
You Can’t “Save” Time
Assess the True Value of Everything You Do
Personal Strategic Planning
Think Before You Act
Priorities versus Posteriorities
Identify the Consequences
Managing Your Time
Practice Single Handling
1,000 Percent Return on Investment
Keep Yourself Focused
Start Today
Chapter 14 – Self Discipline and Problem Solving
The Inevitable and Unavoidable Crisis
Perform at Your Best
Keep Your Mind Clear
Stepping Stones to Success
A Nine Step Method for Solving Problems Effectively
The Big Reward
The Determinant of Your Success
Part III – Self Discipline and the Good Life
Chapter 15 – Self Discipline and Happiness
The Law of Control
The Reason for Happiness
Happiness Is a By Product
Five Ingredients of Happiness
Never Be Satisfied
Chapter 16 – Self Discipline and Personal Health
Living a Long Life
Seven Key Health Habits
The Five Ps of Excellent Health
Get Your Weight Under Control
Change Your Set Point
The Fatal Flaw in Dieting
The Formula for Permanent Weight Loss
Live to Be One Hundred
Chapter 17 – Self Discipline and Physical Fitness
Listen to the Experts
Get Started First Thing
Trick Yourself
Increase Your Intelligence
Make Exercise a Part of Your Lifestyle
Join an Organized Sport
Develop New and Better Habits
Chapter 18 – Self Discipline and Marriage
The Key to a Happy Marriage
Birds of a Feather
Love Is Our Greatest Need in Life
Different Strokes Require Tolerance and Understanding
Male Female Communication Styles
Relationship Building Takes Effort
The Disciplines of Listening
Total Commitment Is Essential
Be Willing to Change
The Four Questions You Should Ask Your Spouse
Should Be Your Best Friend
Chapter 19 – Self Discipline and Children
Your Greatest Responsibility
How Children Spell “Love”
Setting New Priorities
Long Term Thinking
The Greatest Gift Is Love
Discipline Versus Development
Question Your Beliefs
Set a Good Example
Be a Role Model
Building Character
Always Tell the Truth
The Foundation of Self Confidence
The Power of Forgiveness
Teaching Your Children Is Never Ending
Be Their Role Model
Chapter 20 – Self Discipline and Friendship
The Core of Personality
The Key to Happiness
The Law of Indirect Effort
Raise Other People’s Self Esteem
Seven Ways to Make People Feel Important
Be Concerned About Other People
Chapter 21 – Self Discipline and Peace of Mind
Outer Versus Inner Success
The Need to Be Right
Refuse to Blame Anyone for Anything
Give Up Your Suffering
Practice Forgiveness
The Forgetting Curve
Get Over It and Get On with It
Forgiveness Is Selfish
Accept Responsibility and Forgive
About the Author of No Excuses!
No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline was written by by Brian Tracy. Tracy is a Canadian-born American motivational public speaker and self-development author. He is the author of over 80 books that have been translated into dozens of languages. Tracy is the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, which specializes in counselling on leadership, selling, self-esteem, goals, strategy, creativity and success psychology. Prior to founding his company, Brian served as the Chief Operating Officer of a development company, and had careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting.
No Excuses! Quotes
“No more excuses! Do it or don’t do it—but don’t make excuses.”
“Losers make excuses; winners make progress.”
“Your success in life depends more on the person you become than on the things you do or acquire.”
“There is an interesting point about the price of success: It must always be paid in full—and in advance.”
“There are no unrealistic goals; there are only unrealistic deadlines.”
“You are your most valuable asset. Your life, your potential, and your possibilities are the most precious things you have.”
“Dedicate yourself to continuous learning as if your future depends on it—because it does.”
“In life, it doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is how many times you get back up.”
“The most important element in business success is selling. Nothing happens until a sale takes place.”
“All of life is a ‘test.’ The only question for you is do you pass or fail?”
Click here to download No Excuses! infographic & summary
