The 5 Essential Life Disciplines That Help You To Be Successful
5 Essential Disciplines for Personal and Professional Success
Essential, if you want to live a successful life.
But what are the necessary disciplines? There are so many that I could choose from, but I have chosen these five – that if weaved into the tapestry of your daily life will yield optimum results. It is not an exhaustive list, but by adding them to your life on a regular basis, watch out for the transformation that will begin to take place as a result of the application of these disciplines.
- Dare To Dream
There seem to be a lot of people in my circle of influence this year that are doing strange things. They’re daring to dream. Some are tossing in their careers, while others are even leaving their homeland in pursuit of their dreams. It’s awesome. They are daring to dream. They are daring to live the dream. I love being in the company of such people who are willing to break out of the status quo. They’re my type of people.
But all dreamers need to develop persistence – and here are four powerful points of advice given by ‘the master of the success philosophy’ himself – Napoleon Hill.
- Have a definite purpose backed by a burning desire for its fulfillment.
- Have a definite plan, expressed in continuous action.
- Have a mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.
- Develop a friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage you to follow through with both plan and purpose.
- Grasp A Goal
Dreamers need to attach goals to their dreams, for they are the necessary building blocks required to construct a fulfilled dream.
But remember that most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year, and underestimate what they can accomplish in ten years. It has been said that any great wealth takes between 7 and 10 years to develop.
So start with a ten year goal, and then work backwards from there, say in a five year, three year, one year and six month time range.
Establish a clear reason ‘why’ you want to achieve that significant goal, because that will keep you motivated and focused throughout the process of achieving that goal.
Also use the SMART approach to defining your goals, by making them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.
In the process set for yourself some benchmarks, and make certain that you can measure your progress, because what is measured can be managed and improved along the way.
- Pursue Your Passion
Another thing I am noticing amongst my friends this year is that many of them are pursuing their passions.
That’s where possibility is unveiled. That’s where potential is released. That is where the strong get stronger. That is where the joy becomes more joyous.
It is a fulfilling and satisfying place to be. It is the arena where you love what you do and you do what you love. This is where you work harder, smarter, and even longer at times because work has become attractive. Work has in fact been transformed into a labor of love.
- Take Charge Of Your Time
Those who control their days and how their days are spent control the state of their future and their destiny. For if you can take charge of a minute you can certainly take charge of a lifetime.
Spending time is like any investment. Wisely invested time leads to a wise life. And if you do what’s important first and foremost each and every day of your life, you will create a significant and influential life.
Here are some questions for you to analyze your current time usage:
How much time out of every 24 hours do you devote to:
a) your occupation?
b) sleep?
c) play and relaxation?
d) acquiring useful knowledge?
e) plain waste?
- Live With Like-Minded Lovers
The company you keep on a regular basis is crucial to the success you achieve. They must be members of your cheer-leading team. They must love who you are and what you stand for. They are your supporters. They are to be dreamers and achievers in their own right who have your best interests at heart.
The support shown is mutual – for you also provide them with similar encouragement in their pursuits. Kindness, truth, reliability and honesty are just four words to describe like-minded lovers.
Are there any other disciplines that you have discovered that have led to the development of a successful life?
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