Who Likes Discipline?

No one really likes to hear about discipline, but let's face it, there is not a successful person out there who has not had to exhibit discipline in many ways. The pilot and race car driver are expected to have it, or one wrong move and the peril could be great. Athletes and artists are known to have it, as it is the only way they can excel. But what about entre­preneurs? They must have or quickly acquire discipline, or their endeavors are destined to fail - or even worse, suffer the fate of mediocrity. If "aver­age" is good enough for you, business ownership can prove painful. In fact, you may do better in the long run getting a job, but let's assume you wish to be the best at what you do, and if so, then read on. 

Every good coach knows that for someone to be proficient at anything, they must be willing to do it again and again with diligence and guidance. Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly at first, so practice, practice, practice. At some point, you must jump into the fray to really learn the depths of your trade; the sooner you learn, the faster you will achieve the levels of success you truly desire. 

Don't rush it. Who wouldn't want to win the lottery and be done with it? It takes time to make something that is truly rewarding and lasts. The old saying "No wine before its time" is valid in building a business. Over­night successes are rarely that, as there are usually many years of struggle to make it to where they are recognized for their achievements. 

"Everything that glitters is not gold" is also true when it comes to business opportunity. The more successful you become, the more people will chase after you with ideas. Be discerning; choose well and with proper due diligence. Diversity is a good thing, but not at the risk of losing the founda­tions that you worked so hard to build. 

Stay the course, and reap the benefits. Once you have seen the right path for your business, maintain your focus, especially when storms befall you since they hit us all in one way or another. When you are sure of your direction, perseverance pays great dividends. 

One way or another, we are all disciplined. Those who allow the out­side to discipline them often end up with deep regrets and weak results. But if you make the time for self-discipline and grow in it, your goals will be achieved and your dreams realized - perhaps not all of them, but certainly enough to allow you to feel true rewards and gratification. 

"Small disciplines repeated with consistency everyday lead to great achieve­ments gained slowly over time." -John C. Maxwell