Many blogs are being written right now on the topic of New Year’s resolutions and goals for the year ahead. This is NOT one of them.
Today I want to clear up some confusion we commonly see in the minds of our clients. This confusion is around the difference between a goal and a discipline.
To put it simply, a goal is the end result you’re aiming for. A discipline is the behavior or task you must repeat, over and over, to achieve the result you want. A goal is an idea that motivates you. A discipline is an action that moves you forward.
At Building Champions, we coach our clients to gain clarity on which disciplines they must establish in order for them to have the highest probability of reaching their goals. If the client is to succeed, these disciplines must be non-negotiable. We like to focus on the behaviors that define how we live and lead.
These non-negotiable disciplines are truly where the magic lies in self development. Goals and resolutions are important, but by themselves they have no power to change your situation. Identifying the disciplines you will repeat constantly is the critical next step. Here are a few examples.
Goal: Increase monthly sales volume by 10%
Non–Negotiable Disciplines:
- Observe 4 sales calls per week with a sales rep – coach them on improvements
- Team Sales Meetings every Monday at 8am
- Review and provide feedback on weekly sales call plans and reports
- Quarterly Business Plan Reviews with each team member
Goal: Lose 25 Pounds in 2010
Non-Negotiable Disciplines:
- 30 minutes on the treadmill M-W-F at noon
- 15 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups every morning
- 8 glasses of water daily - no sodas
- Fruit and veggies instead of breads. No muffins for breakfast or breads at lunch.
I have seen people truly flourish when they gain clarity on how they want to live and lead, and then identify the corresponding disciplines. These individuals develop strong convictions around their disciplines, and they become non-negotiable. Their disciplines become a way of life.
Make your disciplines non-negotiable,
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Tags: Behavior, Disciplines, Goals, New Year, Non-Negotiable, Self Development
Great post. I think lack of establish disciplines is the number one reason goals and resolutions fail. Knowledge isn’t power, knowledgable action is.
Thanks David. I agree with you!
Very nice clarity Daniel. I think I’m taking up your diet and calling it the Harkavy’s Surfer Diet.
Blessings,
Greg Gutierrez
Zen and the Art of Surfing
Thanks Greg. I think you will like what this surfer gets to eat today. I am here on the rock and off to surf the Bay! It is nice and big here right now.
Aloha,
Daniel
Yes, I appreciate the clarity also. Helped me distinguish between next actions and disciplines when thinking through or processing (in GTD terms) a goal/project. I am working on a goal for establishing better financial management in 2010, but it also needs to be processed as a medium sized project with a couple sub-projects and action steps. I have been listing the ‘next actions’, so now I’m asking myself “what are the non-negotiable disciplines that will ensure the success or accomplishment of this goal. Thanks Daniel for sharing this bit of wisdom.
All the best for 2010,
Stu
Translation Consultant, SIL International
My pleasure Stu. The best of luck with this!
Daniel
Daniel. Spot on, brother. The detail of the disciplines is so critical. If I say I want to exercise 3 times per week without the time, then likely it will NOT happen.
I will be working on these this week with Coach Raymond!!
JG
You get it John!
Get the good stuff scheduled and make the disciplines a way of life.
Daniel
Great post and reminder Daniel. Your team’s coaching on this topic has changed my personal life and increased my business success. The daily disciplines are so important and help us to measure our progress towards our desired end results (goals). Keep up the great work!
Thank you Dan and Happy New Year to you. I saw your results from the past year and can see that your disciplines are paying off big time.
Way to go Dan!
Daniel