Have you ever noticed how much you can get done when you’re in the zone? That is, you’re singled minded about getting the task at hand done, and done well. You’re not letting yourself get distracted by anything else or anyone and you are racing through the task at hand.
Imagine what you could achieve if you could commit to all tasks with this kind of drive. The types of people who consistently reach high levels in their life, whether it’s in business or a sporting success are described as having discipline and focus. Therefore we, the not-so-high achievers tell ourselves that because we’re not disciplined people we’ll just have to be happy with where we’re at.
Why do we lie to ourselves? Discipline and focus are only hard because of the things we have to say no to. But it’s what we say no to that helps us achieve our goals. So then, why do you not have a disciplined business? Because you are not saying ‘no’ enough! People are often afraid to tell a customer that you do not do everything because they fear they are saying no to business. Yes, you are saying no to a financial transaction, but what you need to realise is what is that transaction costing you? As a dieter says yes to a cream bun (well it was good for the moment) in the long term it’s not just going to cost them in extra calories, which have to be exercised off later, it’s also costing them in the form of a psychological setback. They have proven to themselves they really can’t do it and have sabotaged their eating plan. So, by saying ‘yes’ to that cash exchange, for something you don’t really do, you are sabotaging your long term brand (and business) plan. After all you’ve done it once, what’s to stop you from getting off track and finding more ’side-tracks’ to your business. The next thing you know you’ve got an unstreamlined, bulging at the seams company that does have some direction (after all we all know we want something better) but lacks the focus and discipline to get there.
There is a saying that success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration, and that perspiration involves not saying yes every time you have a inspiration, if you don’t have the perspiration to back it up. Stay focussed and say no a few times, only you know what your business could look like with a bit more focus.
#1 by Charlotte at September 11th, 2009
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Wow. I love that post. So true. I have just spent the week being “single-minded” in my focus as I work on one thing at a time. Not only have I got more done but I feel more relaxed as my mind isn’t racing all over the place. Your comments are so true for both the big stuff and the little stuff.