How do successful people seem to be so disciplined?  Are they born with this innate ability to focus 24/7 on their work?  How do you incorporate more discipline into your life?  Here is the answer, “Success is actually a short race – a sprint fueled by discipline just long enough for habit to kick in and take over”.  They key is to pick the right habit and bring just enough discipline to establish it.  Once this habit becomes a part of your life, you’ll start looking like a disciplined person!  Here is the nuts and bolts: Focus on one thing and use enough selective discipline for that habit to become routine.  On average, this will take about 66 days. Then it’ll be just something you do!  

In the real estate world, 20% of the agents perform 80% of the work.  Beyond my world, let’s take some key points and look at the 80/20 principle, referencing “The One Thing” by Gary Keller.  Basically, focusing your work on the most important 20% leads to 80% of your results.  Now let’s go to an extreme by taking 20% of the 20% of the 20%, etc. and you’ll eventually wind up with “One” thing…your most important thing that will bring you success.  Here are some key points to follow: Allow what matters most to drive your day; Say, “not now” until your most important work is done; Don’t get trapped in a “to do” list or “check off” game…instead, you need a success list that is purposeful and results oriented.  Remember “things don’t matter equally and success is found in doing what matters most”.  

What is your “One” thing?  “It’s for you to figure out”.  Has anyone out there ever seen the movie City Slickers?  The late Jack Palance told Billy Crystal in the movie that the secret of life is one thing and it’s different for everybody.  I’ve been reading a book by Keller William’s founder, Gary Keller, called “The One thing”.  What I’ve learned in order to be successful is to simplify things.  This can apply to business, to your relationships, to your life.  Figure out what is most important and focus on that.  Not only will you be more successful, but you will experience less stress by not focusing on the day to day grind and clutter that can beat you up over time.  Discover what’s important to you, focus on that, and you will be much happier and more successful!  If you are interested in learning more, are struggling in your personal or professional life, looking for meaning, or want to be inspired…I highly encourage you to read “The One Thing” by Gary Keller.

Believe it or not, I'm not talking about the housing market…I'm speaking about relationships.   “Do to others as you would have them do to you”, Luke – 6:31.  Relationship building can apply directly to the work world as well!  I encourage you to do a little experiment for yourself this week.  On LinkedIn, endorse 10 people and write one recommendation.  Now get out a pen and paper, write 10 personal notes, and drop them in the mail.  Then call up 10 people you haven’t talked to in awhile and say hello.  You would be surprised in two ways.  One, how good it feels to do something nice for others and how much fun it is to reconnect.  Two, how many times people will return the favor and show their appreciation.  Most jobs are relationship based.  Help yourself build those relationships and it’ll return in multiples.  

How do we help ourselves commit to exercise?  Or anything else that you want to accomplish?  I’ve joined an accountability group that meets every week and this group has really helped me.  We set a business goal (lead generation focused), a personal goal (has to be personal), and a big rock (can be anything) for the week.  Our goals are spoken out loud in the group, recorded, and we are held accountable.  They follow the S.M.A.R.T. principle (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, and Timely).  I won’t go into depth about the S.M.A.R.T. acronym, but basically you feel like crap if you don’t accomplish your goals J.  But when you don’t, you always learn from your mistakes.  If you don’t have an accountability group, then find a partner and set your goals following these guidelines. This will help you commit.