Discipline is Hard for a While… But Mediocrity is Hard All the Time.
“Success is not a random act. It arises out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities. But only those with the discipline to show up, every day, get to access them.” — Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers
Greatness isn’t a result of talent alone—it’s built on thousands of hours of invisible, often uncomfortable discipline. But if we examine today’s global climate—from policy to mindset—it’s clear that we're not just battling for economic survival. We’re battling against a culture that is slowly and dangerously, normalising mediocrity.
Governments claim to want innovation, entrepreneurship and ambition. Yet they simultaneously cut the resources needed to nurture them. In the UK, we see policies that stifle small businesses and roll back support for the very people trying to change their circumstances. In the U.S., minority and women-led start-ups still receive less than 2% of VC funding. Across Africa and Latin America, red tape, underfunded infrastructure and political instability limit the rise of world-class ideas. We are, globally, watching ambition be punished and mediocrity quietly rewarded.
Entrepreneurship, for women—and especially women of colour—is not a curated Instagram story. It’s a relentless, lonely pursuit of building something from nothing while navigating systems that often hope you fail quietly. And the truth? It takes more heart than hype. And it takes discipline.
Let’s look at Emma Grede – Co-Founder of SKIMS & Good American
Emma Grede is a name every aspiring entrepreneur—especially Black women—should know. Born and raised in East London to working-class parents, Emma didn’t grow up in luxury or connections. What she did have was an uncompromising work ethic, vision and the discipline to consistently take risks others wouldn't.
She started in fashion marketing and brand partnerships and eventually became the first Black woman to be a founding partner in Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS, a billion-dollar shapewear company redefining beauty standards. She also co-founded Good American with Khloé Kardashian, ensuring size inclusion, diversity and ethical practices were built into the brand’s DNA.
Emma’s journey isn’t just about entrepreneurial success—it’s about breaking through racial, class and gender expectations. In interviews, she’s spoken openly about facing systemic barriers and being underestimated in every room she walked into.
And yet—she kept showing up!
Grede once said:
“There were so many no’s along the way. But I kept going because I believed what I was building mattered.”
Her story reminds us, discipline isn't glamorous—it’s gritty. But it’s what separates the dreamers from the builders.
What can we learn?
Discipline is painful in the short term—but it has a compounding ROI. It’s the key to breaking cycles.
Mediocrity is easy to slip into, but it becomes a long-term cost—emotionally, financially and generationally.
Entrepreneurship is a path that will require sacrifice, discomfort and failure—but it’s also the way we reclaim power.
Neuroscientific research from Dr. Wendy Wood shows that sustained behaviour change (like developing the discipline to build a business) takes time and structure—about 66 days to form a habit, not 21. And people like Dr. Angela Duckworth, author of Grit, have proven that passion and perseverance—not privilege—are the best predictors of success.
So what’s your next move?
Audit Your Day: What habits are keeping you in a cycle of mediocrity? Is it comfort scrolling, procrastination or self-doubt? Track it. Name it. Change it!
Build a Resilience Routine: Create systems, not just dreams. Plan your week. Automate what you can. Set clear boundaries around your time and energy.
Say It Loud: You’re not available for mediocrity. You’re building a legacy, not a lifestyle brand. Say it online. Say it to yourself. Say it to the systems trying to shrink you.
Are you going to leave it there?
The global landscape is encouraging comfort over courage, conformity over creativity. But you didn’t come here to be comfortable—you came to start something that matters.
You are allowed to dream bigger than your postcode. You are allowed to disrupt the cycle. You are allowed to demand more—not just from the system, but from yourself.
Remember this, discipline is a season. Mediocrity is a sentence. Choose your hard!
What’s one disciplined habit you can commit to this week that will move you closer to your goals? Whether it’s waking up earlier, setting clearer boundaries or showing up consistently for your business—every small step matters.
If this message resonated with you, like this post to affirm your intention and share it with a sista who could use this reminder today.
We rise, we build, and we stay consistent—together!
