Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated that “All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.”
Dr. King’s observation is as true today as it was in his. These past several years have clearly been quite precarious and problematic. No sooner had my last post been published, that more adverse economic news broke in the media informing you that the manufacturer of Hostess Twinkies and Cupcakes had filed for Bankruptcy and that the Food Lion Grocery Chain (like Sears/K-Mart) had announced that they were also going to close 100+ stores.
As well, retail sales for December were below expectations and first time unemployment claims were again on the rise. It is mid January and the time for ceremonial resolutions has now passed. The time has come to have true resolve and commit to undertaking real goals, real plans and pursuing real outcomes.
If there is one success attribute that you need to personify in 2012 and beyond, it is that of “Self-Discipline”. For it is self-discipline that serves as the glue of life – in that it connects and holds every facet of your life together. Self-discipline is what keeps your life from becoming fragmented into unmanageable pieces of chaos.
Your ability to develop self-discipline as a dominant habit will enable your achievement of success (as you define it on your own terms) more than any other single aspect of your character. Following are 10 key areas on which you would be wise to focus if you are to become better self-disciplined.
» Discipline yourself to have clarity of mind about precisely what it is that you want to accomplish and why.
» Discipline yourself to have clear written priorities with regard to what you are going to do tomorrow – before you put your head on your pillow tonight.
» Discipline yourself to devote the majority of your time on your top money making activities.
» Discipline yourself to work and live more confidently with the knowledge that you have highly developed skills and abilities that will serve you well if you use them appropriately.
» Discipline yourself to avoid distractions at all cost and to stay on task and on target… all day, every day.
» Discipline yourself to have consistent habits (not just good ones), such as going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the exact same time very morning.
» Discipline yourself to be properly motivated. Just like your body requires breakfast lunch and dinner for nutrition, so does your mind and attitude. Set the tone for your day with inspirational scriptures, videos or quotations. Have a mid day motivational snack, and at end of your day prepare your mind for quality rest with soothing inspiration.
» Discipline yourself to not only work hard at your work, but to work every bit as hard on yourself and build a better you.
» Discipline yourself to persevere with persistence. Times are tough and life is hard… so what? Planes fly into strong headwinds every day and still get to their destinations. You can too.
» Discipline your personal leadership of self. The more accountable and responsible that you make yourself in every area of your life – the more self disciplined you will become.
As you become more and more adept at developing these aspects of self-discipline, the more aware you will become that you are accomplishing more in less time and that you have an enhanced sense of self control about both your life and your future.
Copyright © 2012 Developing Forward Thomas H. Swank, CBC All Rights Reserved.
Tom is an author, speaker and trusted advisor to business entrepreneurs worldwide. Jump-Start your New Year with Tom’s newest book “NOGGIN NUGGETS~ 365 Days of Exceptional Motivation" get your copy at www.NogginNuggets.com
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