Over my life I've worked towards continual improvement personally, professionally, emotionally, and in other ways; there was a time when I pursued perfection but thankfully I came to understand pretty quickly that perfection doesn't exist and continual improvement is a much better pursuit and a far better use of my energy. I feel it's been a successful process and I've gained much along the way.
A few days ago I was in a position to assist someone to begin the journey of improvement for themselves. This is not to say they haven't found it previously, simply that the person wanted to accelerate it in a few areas so sought me out for a chat and some direction. As always, I'll not go into specific details but will put a few things I said below in respect of improving one's level of discipline which, in my opinion, is a very critical skill and right up there with ownership and responsibility.
Pareto principle
About 80% of a person's positive results are gained from 20% of their effort - give or take. Identifying the things that fall into the 20% zone and applying the bulk of one's effort to them will pay huge dividends. It helps one focus and prioritise on what's important and less on low-value/small-return activities; it's all about maximum effort, efficiency and investing in areas that will produce optimal results.
30 minute blocks
As a leader I've always encouraged this technique which simply means one works on a task for a laser-focused 25 minutes then breaks for 5 minutes and every two hours for a longer break of 15-20 minutes. This method keeps the brain sharp and helps avoid mental fatigue but augments productivity. It's not always possible, the battlefield for instance where one can't simply take a break, but even there a good leader will rotate personnel off the line where possible. In a work environment though, it's a very effective technique; I can't recall who taught me this but thankfully it stuck.
120 second jobs
Attend to the tasks/activities which can be completed in under two minutes immediately; with those that take longer, break them into steps of roughly two minutes each. Again, it's not always possible but in many job roles people can become bogged down by procrastination. The 120 second rule deals with small tasks quickly, sweeps them aside so they don't build up, and can train the mind to make quick time and energy-saving decisions. An example could be emails which are one of the office environment's biggest time waster in my opinion. This, in conjunction with focus/block out time, can work very well and build discipline quickly.
The 5 count
I use this all the time in decision-making on whether to take action or to put something aside. Count backwards from five and then simply act, one way or another - no hesitations. The five-count virtually eliminates the opportunity for procrastination and negativity barely has a chance to register before one moves to act. This is less of a workplace technique and more a personal one although it's an excellent technique to use against the big rocks/unpleasant aspects in one's day. Just get on with it. Personally, I apply it to waking up super-early, decisions to run or exercise and small jobs around the house that may be somewhat onerous.
Top 3
I really like this one, simple but very effective. I'm a task-list guy but they can get long at times, professionally or personally. So, I determine the top three, the most impactful and important, and apply my full attention to those. Not only does it mean I'm working on the items that will bring me the best results it closes my mind to the other less important things and that removes stress, concerns, pressure or thoughts around them; more brain power to apply to the top 3. Once achieved, get the net top 3 started.
Avoid immediate gratification
This is difficult as we all love gratification or reward in the present moment. The concept is that one focuses on the longer-term goals and benefits and resists the more immediate ones. Sure, things still need to get done and completed in short timeframes and rewards can come from that but this technique helps one to develop a greater degree of control and willpower. Imagine saving up for something very rewarding (a holiday overseas for instance) but every time $100 is saved it's immediately spent on something bringing an immediate gratification; the ultimate big reward will never come. In business and personal life sustained success is preferable over immediate gratification which ultimately inhibits long term results.
As I've written before in similar posts of this nature, these items may not suit your personal or professional life, may never work for you because they're not relevant or may need some form of adjustment to make them fit; they're all techniques I've used to help build a high degree of self-discipline though and it's that, together with other such attributes, which have helped me gain some pretty amazing results in my professional and personal life. Discipline is simple a collection of good habits and once adopted those habits will tend to stick...and that's when the magic really happens.
What are your thoughts? Would you say you're disciplined or undisciplined an either way why? Do you know how to improve your level of discipline but have chosen not to? Feel free to respond in the comments on these points, or anything else if you like.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
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In some ways I feel quite disciplined, but at times I'm still a fickle pickle and vascillate between options A and B. While I know how indecisiveness affects production, that knowledge does little to help me choose a direction. I have discovered that this happens when I have something huge on my mind. The mind just doesn't settle on a singlular thought, it just waffles back and forth like a metronome.
Today, I'll implement the 120 second job rule as I go about minor tasks around the house and will also try the count five when I get stumped. Life is so much more pleasant with a little discipline and I would like more regularity in that regard. We are all just paintings in various stages of completion and until that last brushstroke falls, we can continue to improve ourselves and our lives.
It's probably quite normal to feel that way, swinging one way or the other depending on different situations and times. Mind-waffling is human too, I guess we just need to recognise we are in mid-waffle and understand some methods of un-waffling the waffle. That's the hard part though. On the other side of it, I think sometimes I can be too disciplined and inflexible when it comes to discipline in myself. It may sound strange and I'll not give examples on the blockchain, but it's something I work on. Having said that, discipline is my thing; always was and has worked in my favour.
I'm glad you like some of the items and I think by trying them out, maybe adapting them to yourself and needs, and honing them, you'll find greater discipline and results.
I've used the 120 second job rule several times already this morning and was also able to implement the count 5 once. It helps!
I was reading all of those waffles up there and was fervently hoping I wouldn't run across a twatwaffle, glad there were none to be found lol
Excellent, it's good to know someone is getting some value from it and waffling has diminished.
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Thank you!
I'm one of the most disciplined people I know and I've applied many of the same principles you've outlined to aid my efficiency. I like to promise myself a small reward if I'm particularly productive and deny myself if I'm not. That works!
One thing I'd add is to remember Parkinson's Law, allot a reasonable amount of time to a task and finish it within the allotted time.
Yep, I can tell you're legit simply by the non-reward thing you mentioned. I do the same. A penalty thing for not doing the right activities to achieve the results AI set myself. Works well.
Yep, setting times upon things, deadlines, can be a great motivator to achieve them, but that's where discipline plays a role also.
Those are really good tips! I haven't heard of almost any of them before 😳.
I found the 30 minute blocks idea the most interesting, I will definitely try that out myself at work.
I already sort of do this type of excercise, but I haven't given it any structure. I take many small breaks throughout the work day, but these all vary from 2 minutes to 30 minutes randomly and I don't do them every half an hour.
I very much value keeping the brain excercised and sharp, so I will not hesitate to try out any tricks to help with that.
Luckily I have a very lenient job, so I could try out all of these ideas, maybe not the 120 seconds jobs one, but I will slowly but surely get to them, if I don't forget about the tips 😅
I think most people probably do things that keep them on the right track and moving forward (disciplined) but probably don't realise they're doing them. I tend to think things through and develop systems that work for me. Not all of the things on the list are mine, I've just picked them up along the way and if it works then why not keep doing it.
I'm glad you found something you kikes and hopefully when you implement it you'll recognise some benefits over time.
I have bookmarked this and plan to print it out later today. I have heard a couple of these before, but not all.
Right now I would say I am undisciplined in many areas, especially my health. Ever since retiring I have gradually become that way. I used to be a very discplined individual, but here we are now. I am working to displine myself again so your guidance above should be very useful.
Knowing you need/want to improve is the first step to doing it, so well done. I'm glad you've found some things here you'd like to work on and I look forward to hearing how it goes.
Yeah I’m already working on my mental health and have been posting about that as I work through The Body Keeps the Score book and workbook. Got me a walking pad and been walking every other day for 10 minutes and plan to increase a couple minutes each week or two. It’s not much, but it’s small steps I guess.
Good work! It's the little things done often that matter. They start to touch at the edges and combine into bigger things.
Very good, @galenkp. Discipline is an essential aspect of living life well, I believe. You have some interesting ideas for working on continuous improvement. Some of which I do not recall seeing before now.
Yes, I am disciplined. First, I had the example of my parents. If we don't have modeled for us, at an early age, what living life well looks like? While they can be overcome, we're going to have challenges.
Second, I have grown very accustomed to a relatively simple thought process of having a clear-minded list of what needs to be done. And then I get it done, almost to a fault. Why do I say that? While perseverance is also an essential part of life, I believe there comes a time when we have to give ourselves permission to let go.
A very hard lesson for me, but one which has significantly reduced my stress. A little late, but I am still here.
A key part of my task list is setting the priority of getting them done. Then quite literally having a "1, 2, 3, A, B, C" method of "checking boxes," as I get them done. A satisfactory day ends with consistently getting the top 3 items checked off. A great day is getting the next 3 items checked off.
More than that is unrealistic and setting yourself up for failure, as the quality of your work is every bit as important as the quantity. It has your signature on it, whether literally there or not. We want it to speak well for us and our integrity. That is our words and our actions need to consistently line up.
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Wow. What a nice surprise! Just entering the Hive portal, not sure how that happened, but I certainly appreciate the encouragement @friendlymoose!!
Being clear of mind and having lists will help you achieve your goals a little more easily; too many people scatter their focus which diminishes effectiveness.
I think if one tends to be patient and saving, they will avoid immadiate gratification. This is also valid for being on HIVE. If we stake our rewards instead unstaking, the ultimate big reward will come.
I think people find it difficult to save these days as they lack the vision to see the big picture/ultimate goal and discipline to plan for it.
Hi @galenkp. On the topic planted today I think the passage of time has shown me that I am more disciplined than I thought. I also think I have an acceptable ability to prioritize the importance of tasks. I relate this last point to the point you made about the value of postponing rewards, which I think is fundamental to achieving success on a solid foundation.
I don't have to add anything on this occasion. I will take note of some points, such as the one about emails, which I think will help me to manage my time better.
Thank you very much for sharing these points
I'm glad you see value here, I think most people should, especially in a society in which people are becoming more lazy by the day.
I see a lot of value in this publication and in this type of publications, and I thank you for the effort.
Interesting techniques, some of which I apply, such as the top 3 or avoiding immediate gratification. But I think I need to work more on avoiding mental fatigue and applying the 30 minute blocks, I had heard about that but I haven't applied it. I will take that one!
Yes, I am disciplined in all aspects of my life especially in the area of work and money. Thank you very much for the techniques.
You seem always to already apply almost everything I ever write about. Spectacular.
Many years of making mistakes and learning, but I didn't use this point, which makes me mentally tired. I must put it into practice.
This lit 🔥 I highly need to read this for the nth time and remind myself to try to avoid distraction and do focus on what needs to be priorotized. Thank you @galenkp
I'm glad you found something you think will make a difference to your life.
You didn't write just one. What principle of discipline do you use when it comes to chocolates and pralines, like the ones in the picture?
Do you solve them according to the principle, solve quickly "in 120 seconds" (although I think a minute is enough)?
Am I disciplined? Mostly...
Judging by what I'm doing at Hive, one would say that I am.
I am like that in other spheres of my life. Precise, with clear plans and defined activities.
I don't eat chocolates for health reasons, I have a condition that means carbohydrates and sugars are not generally permitted and if I was to have some it's a very small amount and only very rarely.
I think those are some really sound principles to apply to your life. I have started to try and do the waiting thing a bit which I think would fit in with the count back from five or the delayed gratification. Focus for me can be hard at times due to my ADHD, but I have learned to cope with it fairly well over the years. There are still times when tasks overwhelm me or I just shut down.
Each of us has our own methods (and challenges) so I think it's important to find something that works (this happens through trial and error) and then work on developing it. Also, we all get overwhelmed at times, I don't believe people who say they do not.
Haha, yeah, those people are often the most broken sometimes I guess.
These are fantastic tips @galenkp I find myself to be very disciplined and organized, yet I tend to not take enough breaks when working on projects. That will be my takeaway from this post, and I will certainly implement the 5 count when indecisive. Action matters either way it all gets done.
It's always good to see that someone has taken away something from my posts to think about or apply; it doesn't mean it'll work for them but makes me happy to see people willing to try new things and seeking to improve on what they already have.
Good luck.
If I had to answer I would say that I am disciplined.
I liked something you said at the beginning of the publication in which you talk about discipline and responsibility to make progress because I consider them essential elements when undertaking any project.
Of the techniques he proposes, some I apply and others are new to me and I will begin to apply them, such as The 5 count.
In the case of the top 3, I didn't have it specifically because I list the tasks I have to do during the day and sometimes there are many. Therefore, it is better to use the top 3 because it helps you to focus on the essentials.
These two 30 minute blocks and 120 second jobs I had not heard either and analyzing them I find them very logical and right for all that they contribute.
Happy Wednesday.
Cheers and greetings.
The top 3 is a concept that has seen me achieve far more than simply writing lists; it means the most important things get done first, those that will have the biggest impact. I'm glad you picked that one out, it's a very important step.
I was quite undisciplined; university made me change. I found that my time was never enough, and I looked for ways to improve.
The Pareto principle has worked well for me, and making hand written lists too 😅
Although it's difficult to stay 100% disciplined, the list you shared is undoubtedly very complete. If I had read it years ago I ,I wouldn't have gone through so much trouble, doing tests of trial and error. I might have varied the technique depending on the task.
Pure gold these posts!
We all pick up different things that benefit us in life, but we also pick up bad habits so it's important to keep looking at what we do, what we shouldn't do and ways to make either happen.
Happy to greet you bro! Discipline is a value that few know, and it is a very important characteristic in personal growth. I myself feel that I am not disciplined enough, at least not in all areas of my life, but I am aware of it and keep working on improving. I think that of all these tips you mention I have to leave behind is immediate gratification, that is my worst enemy. Thank you for sharing your experience, you have helped someone else through reflection ✌️
Knowing you need to I crease your level of discipline means you're on the right track to making it happen; add in some action towards the steps that will help you get better and you'll find the rewards will come.