Can Discipline Be Learned?
Is discipline something we have, or don't have? Can it be learned? I've noticed several members of WA talk about being away from WA and then coming back to pick up again. What is it that triggers the discipline to follow through with any goal we choose?
Determination + Desire = Discipline
In school, children are naturally bundles of sponges, soaking up everything in their world.
Have the students focus on a task, then yell "squirrel" and every head forgets the task at hand, looking for the distraction. I see a lot of grownups react the same way. We tend to call them ADHD and maybe that label is actually too liberally applied to a segment of adults who simply never learned the art of discipline. I am not denying the reality of truly diagnosed ADHD. I completely understand the need to treat clinically diagnosed ADHD. But it does seem to be too easily used as a label.
OK - back on track here. (Who yelled squirrel?) So there is an example in real time of how easily it is to get distracted, lose focus, and discipline can go out the window. I'm determined to stay focussed, I have a strong desire to stay focussed, therefore I have the discipline to stay focussed.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on the discipline necessary to become successful in WA? What are your habits? Do you post regularly? Do you have a schedule, or do you come online randomly, posting here, commenting there? Be honest, and let's help each other be focussed, and achieve the discipline needed to be successful.
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I am usually a person who goes with the flow and when in need can be very determent at times too.
Since I am here at WA I had to figure it out how to handle my time and day. The first couple months I almost worked 5-8 hours at least 5 days a week.
All to often I had forgotten on my other "duties", missing laundry and hubby was screaming for new socks. forgot starting to prepare supper on time and we had to eat leftovers. Nothing wrong with that, but when eating it 3 days in a row, not so funny anymore.
Therefore I had to roll back a bit, but it wasn't so satisfying to me anymore. When I am working on something I don't like to be pulled away from it, it actually does makes me angry.
Now I have found a solution for me. I make myself to be here at WA at least for 2 hours every day (it usually will be more "lol") working on my websites and listen at least to one training course.
I also started to make a list for different tasks I like to work on and what else has to be done, and so far it feels good after the end of my "workday" to make a check mark behind each task.
This is a discipline which seems to workout for me very well.
Sylvia
Organizational skills are right near the top of every successful entrepreneur's skill set. (ok, slightly redundant, but you know what I mean)
I am not a particularly disciplined person. And because I know this about myself I do set a schedule for the day. I don't have the same schedule every day though. So I look at my calendar and see what appointments I have and then I sketch out a work schedule. Then every morning I determine what I need to do how I am going to do it and when I am going to do it. That seems to keep me on track. So far.
Another useful approach to this is to meditate ( which I do) each morning, and see myself going through my day. If anything during the day gets in the way of my "vision" I deal with it, and get back to the program. Once I tell my subconscious what I want to accomplish today, - I'm on autopilot. It's a technique that I spent quite a few months learning, and the more I use it, the more efficient I become.
One word....mindset. If I 'want' it bad enough, I will work around or through whatever is tossed at me to achieve that which is my primary goal. If you procrastinate, success is late (if at all). Need to 'walk away' for a moment or two? Then do so, but get back 'to it'! Taking an honest 'self inventory' is also helpful....what are my weak points? How can I 'fix' it? Don't know? Ask! That's what networkers do!
Very well said, especially the one word of mindset. Desire and determination! Taking a break from time to time is important, and as you point out, stay focused on the main goal.
I am on board with you. If you cannot focus, it means that you are either not interested in the subject matter or there is something you would truly rather be doing.
To focus, I actually usually have to unfocus as funny as it sounds. I cannot focus on anything for too long of a period and because of this I will have many different tasks that I do during the day that compose my day. There is nothing more boring and difficult to focus on than doing the exact same thing over and over again...all day, every day. But if you have variety, it is much easier to focus on the tasks at hand independently.
You are right, - it's a fine line between the chaos of multi-tasking, and getting stuck in a routine. But we can certainly do one thing at a time, in rapid succession. It looks like multi-tasking, but is actually "checking things off the to do list". And it also means we stay focussed on each task as it comes up. Now that is discipline.
Pamela, from my past experiences I've many times over-looked the importance of a schedule. It's weird how it's actually the easiest yet hardest thing to do! Wow, our priorities in life can at times really over-whelm us. Yes, as far as WA goes, I think discipline will help us to focus more, set great plans of action and stick to our goals. It is a key that will successfully open many "stubborn" doors..LoL. Thanks Pamela, such great thoughts to ponder-
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I was disciplined for so many years when I was working. There were constant deadlines and I had to remain focused because I was working with numbers that ended up in Congress. Now that I'm retired, I love working with WA but I find that I also have many irons in the fire and get sidetracked easily. For many (including me), I get to the grindstone when I absolutely MUST. Then nothing can stop me. It's the pressure that keeps me focused.