The Art of Discipline

Struggling with sticking to a routine or completing your goals? Then maybe a little discipline is just what you need! For this week's Weekly Dose of Smarts, we have Rtr. Isha Deshpande bringing us the Art of Discipline!

“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy a greater reward in the long term is the indispensable prerequisite for success.” – Maxwell Maltz

The word discipline is derived from the 13 th century Latin word “discipulus”. Its literal meaning is control gained by enforcing obedience or order. Several definitions of discipline deal with study, behaviour regulation, and instruction, one might assume that the word's first meaning in English had to do with education. The earliest use of the word also appears to be related to punishment.

Discipline refers to self-control and the discovery of abilities that encourage people to resist temptation, think and act righteously, and work independently and collaboratively in ways that benefit individual growth and family and community well-being. Self-discipline is the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. The development of self-discipline can change anyone’s life and lead to the achievement of goals and ultimate success. Lack of self-discipline causes us to make excuses and sell ourselves short, causing unhappiness, frustration, and failure.

Elbert Hubbard stated the most important success principle, “self-discipline is the ability to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not”.

You are your most significant asset. The most valuable thing you have is potential. Thus, your primary objective in life should be to study and improve to maximize your potential and talents.

Personal discipline can affect your character and attention by following a regimen. These seven stages will lead you to the top.

Step 1: Arise Early with the Morning Bird.

Step 2: Rewrite Your Goals, Every Day.

Step 3: Plan Every Day in Advance. A to-do list.

Step 4: Discipline Yourself to Concentrate Single-Mindedly on One Thing.

Step 5: Listen to Educational Audio Programs to Motivate Yourself and Understand Different Perspectives.

Step 6: Ask Two Magic Questions After Every Call or Event. (What did I do right? and what would I do differently?)

Step 7: Treat Every Person You Meet Like a Million-Dollar Customer.

Self-discipline?has a greater impact on your future than in any other area of life than at work. The two traits that are more important for career success than anything else an individual can do are the discipline to finish the job quickly and the ability to prioritize and work on high-value tasks.

Entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners go through an exercise that is designed to help double performance, productivity and output known as the law of three.

The law of three states that three primary tasks contribute 90% of value to your work. When you identify these critical tasks, your work gets easier and better. Once you have figured out the three major tasks, you should spend the most amount of time and effort on them.

No matter how well you perform a task that is unimportant, working hard on it won't benefit you. Even worse, concentrating on low-value jobs prevents you from focusing on the most crucial duties. In fact, putting a lot of effort into the wrong job can harm your career.

The happiest days at work will be when the tasks you regard to be most important are finished but doing so requires first and foremost that you consistently focus on those tasks. Keep working the entire time you are at work if you want to be productive, produce quality work, and eventually generate income. Repeat to yourself the magic phrase "back to work!" whenever you find yourself losing momentum or idly passing the time. Keep yourself motivated and focused by positively talking to yourself.

Aristotle wrote that humans are teleological organisms which simply means that we are purpose-driven. Therefore, having a specific objective to work towards each day is the only way to feel content and in control of your life. This also means that this ability to learn how to set goals for long term is one of the most important disciplines you will ever develop. The practice of everyday goal setting will transform you into a powerful, self-confident, and irresistible individual. You will gain self-esteem, confidence, and self-respect, as commitment to discipline is the most powerful step you can take to achieve all your goals!