In yesterday's post I defined "focus", one of the three characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. (The "focus" post is here.) The other two characteristics are:
- Discipline
- Passion
Today I will define discipline.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines discipline as:
" orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior"
I think this definition is almost correct but it has a certain "military" flavor to it that may not be instructive in a business setting. I would define discipline as:
A systematic and routine approach to properly complete a task
"Systematic" captures the step by step approach inherent in discipline. "Routine" implies that the behavior can be repeated and is not a "one off" event. "Properly" suggests that there is a correct way to do something. Discipline applies to a wide range of behaviors from sitting properly in a chair to weight lifting or solving math problems.
I think that many people lack discipline not because they lack will power or focus. I think many people lack discipline because they do not recognize that a discipline can be applied to a situation or problem. One of the shortcomings in education is that we teach disciplines such as discounted cash flow or marginal cost but we do not devote enough time to helping students identify the situations where the discipline can be applied. I think one of the clearest signs of intelligence is the facility to recognize a situation where a discipline can be applied. When one sees a problem, first look to see if there is a discipline that applies to solving it. More often than not there is a discipline.
A reader wrote me on yesterday's post about "focus" and asked if focus and discipline were not the same thing. Focus is about the singularity of the goal and acting consistently to achieve it. Discipline is a toolset that leads one to select the correct options and achieve a productive focus.
Now I have to go load the dishwasher, which according to my wife involves a discipline. See--everything has a discipline.