About this quote

Power often flips when you lose control of your impulses. We think having the freedom to buy or do whatever we want makes us masters of our lives, but constant indulgence actually strips away our freedom. Real control comes from the quiet ability to wait while others panic. Look at your daily habits. Are you running your days, or are your sudden cravings running you?

When to use it

• I almost financed a flashy sports car just to show off at the reunion, but I chose to keep my older, paid-off sedan instead. Impulse buying just chains me to a desk forever, whereas staying patient is how I actually buy my freedom.
• My boss was incredibly disrespectful during the meeting, and every bone in my body wanted to scream and walk out. I took a deep breath and kept my mouth shut because I need this experience to launch my own firm next year.
• My couch is screaming my name after a long shift, and I really want to skip the gym and order pizza. I know that giving in to that comfort just makes me weaker tomorrow, so I am putting on my running shoes anyway.