Discipline – The 4th Key to Success

Discipline – This has to be the toughest key to success. We almost have to discipline ourselves to be disciplined.

Anything you want to accomplish in life takes some level of discipline, whether it’s to get healthy and fit, write on a daily basis, build a business or create success.

There are several definitions of discipline, but I chose this one as the best for the purpose here:

activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training

Discipline rarely just happens. It’s something you have to train yourself to, not only be aware of but, carry out. Through discipline, or lack of, you’ve created many habits for yourself. Many people are disciplined to get the coffee maker ready at night for the next morning, so it’s become more of a habit.

To discipline yourself for daily work tasks happens in much the same way. You do things repetitively until they’ve become habits. Today, I have to sit and write this article. Sometimes, without discipline to make myself do it, it won’t get done. Writing is a habit for me, but there are days when habits have to entail some level of discipline.

It’d be great to have a drill sergeant standing over you making sure you get your work done, but it doesn’t happen that way. It’s also a bit of an oxymoron that we work for ourselves for more freedom, but at the same time we have to work harder to build our success and discipline ourselves to get the job done.

How do you discipline yourself to do what you need to do to create success?

First, you need a list of daily tasks that must be accomplished. It’s best if you keep this list small. Choose 3 things that have to be done and work on those until completion.

You may need music to get motivated. You may need to meditate to get focused on your tasks list. You may need to promise yourself a reward. Do whatever you need to do to make yourself get that list done.

Tips to discipline yourself:

*Use a timer. You can either, download a free timer for your computer, buy a standard kitchen time or get one for your phone.

*Use a dayplanner or some type of calendar to write down your 3 most important tasks for each day.

*Spend time each evening getting your next day’s tasks lined out.

*Close your browser, email programs, and silence your phone until your tasks are done.

*If you find that you’re losing focus, give yourself a short break. Get up and walk around. Go outside or even meditate. Do something that will be refreshing. You don’t want to get too relaxed on your break. It could lead to the task being left incomplete.

*Take just enough time to lose the tension and rejuvenate your mind.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share on getting disciplined or another key to success? We’d love to hear your thoughts.