Winning Today: How to Take Control of Your Life and Build Unshakable Discipline

From the moment we are born, our survival depends on our parents. We instinctively look to them for care, love, and security. When that relationship is strained—whether through neglect, stress, or harm—it leaves an imprint that can shape the way we see ourselves and the world. Many of us, in our formative years, adopt the belief that if something is wrong in our family, it must be because something is wrong with us.

But what if we could rewrite that story? What if, instead of allowing our past to define us, we used it as fuel to create the life we want?

That’s the journey Ryan Cass has taken. From a childhood marked by instability and hardship, he made a choice—at just six years old—that he would never allow his future family to experience what he went through. Instead of letting pain define him, he transformed it into purpose. Now, as the host of the Win Today podcast and leader of the Unshakable Discipline mastermind group, Ryan helps others break free from their limiting beliefs and take control of their lives.

Winning Today Starts with a Decision

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it starts with intentional daily actions. According to Ryan, winning today begins the night before. Planning and clarity are key to taking control of each day.

• Write down your top three priorities for tomorrow before you go to bed.
• Align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
• Take one small step each day toward your bigger goals.

Turn Obstacles into Opportunities

Life throws curveballs—unexpected challenges, losses, and disappointments. However, people who consistently win don’t let these challenges stop them. Instead, they reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth. As Ryan puts it, even the bad times give us good times, if we choose to see them that way.

• Ask yourself: What lesson can I learn from this?
• Find ways to turn adversity into a stepping stone for growth.
• Choose to extract the good from every situation.

Build Unshakable Discipline

Discipline is often misunderstood. Many associate it with punishment or restriction, but true discipline is about living life by design rather than by default. Ryan defines unshakable discipline as the ability to stay committed to your purpose, no matter what life throws your way.

• Identify the top five areas of life that matter most to you.
• Set measurable goals within those categories.
• Track your progress and build momentum with small daily wins.

Forgiveness Frees You

Many of us carry the weight of past wounds—resentment, anger, or bitterness toward those who have hurt us. But holding onto pain keeps us stuck. Ryan’s life changed when he chose to forgive his father. Forgiveness wasn’t about excusing the past but about freeing himself from its hold.

• Recognize that forgiveness is for you, not them.
• Understand that everyone is doing the best they can with what they have.
• Let go of resentment to create space for healing and growth.

Start Small, But Start Today

Winning today doesn’t mean achieving everything overnight. It means taking one step—any step—in the direction of your goals. Whether it’s a simple act of kindness, making progress on a dream, or choosing gratitude over frustration, small wins add up to big changes.

So ask yourself:

• What’s one action I can take today to move forward?
• How can I turn today’s challenge into an opportunity?
• Who can I help or serve today?

Success is built one day at a time. Choose to win today—because the life you want starts now.