Discipline

by Rosella Aranda

Published on this site: July 6th, 2005 - See more articles from this month...

What does this word really mean anyway?

According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, discipline, as a noun, is defined primarily as 'punishment.'

My, but that has a harsh ring to it. An alternate definition is 'self-control.' Well, that's a little closer to my idea.

I submit that discipline, as it relates to making your home business a success, is the following:

• D = Decision.
  
  The decision to succeed at building a lucrative home business must be a firm commitment, a fiery yearning in your soul that you ARE going to do this. A flimsy, "Oh, we'll see how it goes," attitude won't get you where you want to go. Sorry. It's best that you know this up front.
  
  
• I = Integrity.
  
  You must relate on a mutually beneficial plane with the rest of the world. If you think you can make good by foisting a cheap bill of goods onto unsuspecting customers, you're wrong. You might make a few quick sales, but your success will be short-lived and your ruined reputation might never recover.
  
  
• S = Sincerity.
  
  Do you really believe that your product is worth it? Are you really concerned about helping the people you do business with or are you just trying to "take their money and run?" I know there are people out there like that because I've been the victim of a few of them! Those unfortunate experiences taught me that I certainly don't ever want to be like one of the greedy bunch.
  
  
• C = Concentration.
  
  It is wise, especially in the beginning, to concentrate your efforts on a single home business program or business "guru." With so many ads enticing you with rewards of abundant riches, it might be tempting to try out a few at the same time. You should resist this temptation.
  
  Some people try to get their fingers into a few different pies, hoping to speed up their inflow of cash, and the results are disastrous. The problem is that as you spread yourself so thin, you become unfocused, your enthusiasm wanes, and you quite simply become confused as to details of each program.
  
  Such sloppiness generates few rewards, as any prospective client will be quick to spot this lack of commitment. And you may well become lulled into inaction by your confusion and lack of focus.
  
  
• I = Inspiration.
  
  Where do you get yours from? Do you find quiet time for yourself? An occasional mental vacation is helpful, too. It's so important to visualize your desired aims, to keep your goals lively in your imagination.
  
  Do you have a network of people to stimulate you, people who can provide information, encouragement and insight when you are tapped dry? It's a sad and lonely road if you're trying to do it alone.
  
  Thank goodness it's not necessary. Avail yourself of a good forum. One of the very best for any aspiring entrepreneur is Michael Green's How To Forum.
  http://www.Calling-All-Entrepreneurs.com/Forum.html
  
  And I just happen to know of a really terrific newsletter, too! http://www.Calling-All-Entrepreneurs.com/
  
  
• P = Pride.
  
  Are you proud of your status as an entrepreneur? You certainly should be! Or do you mutter, shrug your shoulders, look down at your shoes or give a dismissive wave of your hand when asked about your line of work? Can you imagine any of the pioneers of the Old West acting like that? Not on your life!
  
  It takes courage and self-respect to venture forth into new territory. Stand up straight and tall and hand out those business cards with pride, Brothers and Sisters!
  
  
• L = Levity.
  
  Can you take it lightly when a prospect rejects your offer? You will be turned down much more often than not, you know. That's just the nature of sales. It always has been, always will be. It's nothing personal, my friend.
  
  Really, you must internalize the fact that no one is rejecting YOU. A prospect isn't ready to take advantage of what you're offering? It's no big deal. Just remember, some will, some won't, so what, someone's waiting. Don't even think about letting it affect your self-esteem!
  
  
• I = Introspection.
  
  We must all take a good, hard look inside our own selves to discover what is holding us back. No one, but no one has the power to control your thoughts.
  
  It is worth all the effort necessary to get your thoughts in alignment with what you want to believe. It's not so easy, because society is constantly telling us what and how to think.
  
  It takes boldness and a strong commitment to oneself to keep the reins on our own thoughts. Thought is everything. Make no mistake about it. Read, meditate, affirm, visualize, don't give up, and then do it all over again. And again and again...
  
  
• N = Nurturance.
  
  Nurture yourself. So you want to be your own boss, eh? Make sure you're working for a reasonable and decent person. You wouldn't stand for it if a "regular" boss called you an idiot and told you horrible things. So please, don't ever do this to yourself. Treat yourself with the same dignity and respect as you would expect from a terrific boss.
  
  By the same token, hold yourself to the same standards of performance and accountability that any responsible employer would. You wouldn't expect your boss to stand for it if you decided you just didn't feel like showing up for work, right?
  
  Would a boss allow you to sit through TV reruns while there was work to be done? We both know better than that.
  
  
• E = Evaluation. What's working? What's not working? Make changes, modify, tweak, but DON'T GIVE UP.
  
  Do you remember the first time you tried to drive a car? When you slammed on the brakes instead of coming to a nice, smooth halt, did you jump up out of the driver's seat and cry out, "I give up! I can't do this!"
  
  No, of course you didn't. And the analogy is really not that far-fetched, is it?

Building a successful home business requires commitment, attention, patience and, yes, a healthy dose of discipline. Come on, you can do it! The rewards are tremendous

Rosella Aranda, Editor, Author of Sabotage Thyself No More, an excellent guide to getting rid of self-defeating behaviors.
http://www.SabotageThyselfNoMore.com/ Free mini-course!
http://www.FinancialFreedomWorld.com/ Superb Tools!
http://www.Calling-All-Entrepreneurs.com/ Nice Freebies!