In addition to my own thoughts and findings, I like to share the best the world has to offer in contemporary and ancient wisdom. Anything that will help you (and me) design and live a more creative, happy and fulfilling life.

Today I’d like to share a simple, yet powerful, principle I learned from Rory Vaden, best-selling author and world-renowned strategist on success through self-discipline. It’s called The Rent Axiom, which states that “Success is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.”

Vaden says that to fully ingrain this principle, simply replace the word success with whatever is important to you. For example:

Financial security is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.

Physical health is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.

A great business is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.

A happy marriage is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.

Creative inspiration is never owned. It is only rented — and the rent is due everyday.

Our society loves ease. In our all-or-nothing, quick-fix, one-and-done world, success stems not from the path of least resistance, but the from the day-in-day-out application of habits and disciplined actions. Sorry if that bursts your bubble, but it’s true. If you want to be truly successful in life, you have to be willing to commit to the long haul.

Take a good look at where you are falling short in life. Chances are you’re probably a little behind in the rent.