Discipline….Do you have it?

I have never been one to stop and smell the roses or celebrate the triumphs of a great sale, an incredible year, or any other benchmarks that my company reached. Well, okay, maybe we had a little celebration once in awhile.

Now, as I get older, I find myself reflecting on how my career evolved and how it brought me so much success not only as a Realtor early on but also as the owner of a large Realty firm. Among the many characteristics I can think of, like being driven, goal-oriented, persistent, dedicated, passionate, and so on, the one word that stands out the most is discipline. I was disciplined.

None of the accomplishments or achievements I have experienced in my life could have happened without self-discipline. And any shortfalls or failures in my life were due to a lack of self-discipline.

Now that I think about it, the majority of the leaders and successful people I know and read about have attributed their success to self-discipline.

Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the characteristic that will open all doors for you and will make all your goals become much more achievable. With self-discipline, the average person (like me) can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. Self-discipline will put you on a level playing field with anyone. Without self-discipline you will be nothing more than average, no matter what your education, background, or expertise might be.

One of the great characteristics about discipline is the fact that we all have this ability. We can all benefit from this natural talent if we choose to use it. Of course it’s like anything else in life-if we don’t make a choice to use it, then guess what. . . it doesn’t happen.

If we tap into our God-given talent of self-discipline there is literally nothing we can’t do. We can strive to be the top sales representative in our company, we can try to win the big trip to Hawaii, we can be known as an effective leader, we can build a company from scratch (or from a 200-sq-ft basement like I did). We can lose weight with self-discipline, we can get in better shape, we can be better parents, sons or daughters, employers or employees. With self-discipline we can become unstoppable.

Go ahead-repeat this out loud to yourself three times: “With self-discipline I can become unstoppable.”

I don’t know how that just made you feel, but it sure fires me up. Self-discipline will have a different meaning for all of us and we can use it in every area of life. I would be thrilled to be described and labeled by my peers as unstoppable. With self-discipline we can be. With self-discipline there is nothing we can’t do!

If you would like me to conduct a workshop or give a keynote address on the topic of self-discipline and being unstoppable, please contact me on my direct line at 402-680-8448 or email me at van@vandeeb.com. The characteristics and fundamentals of self-discipline worked for me, and I guarantee that those same principles can work for you.

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A few words of wisdom I have learned about Discipline from the legendary Jim Rohn

·       Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.

·       We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is that discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.

·       All disciplines affect each other. It would be a mistake to say, “This is the only area where I let down.” Not true. Every letdown affects the rest. Not to think so is naïve.

·       Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is built. Lack of discipline inevitably leads to failure.

·       Discipline has within it the potential for creating future miracles.

·       The best time to set up a new discipline is when the idea is strong.

·       One discipline always leads to another discipline.

·       Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion.

·       The least lack of discipline starts to erode our self-esteem.

·        You don’t have to change much for it to make a good deal of difference. A few simple disciplines can have a major impact on how your life works out in the next 90 days, let alone the next 12 months or the next 3 years.

Seven decisions that determine personal success

I have never met Andy Andrews, the author of one of my new favorite books, The Traveler’s Gift. However, I feel a very deep connection with his story of the seven decisions that determine success. His book is, by far, one of the best self-development, motivating, and inspirational books I have ever read (besides Common Sense Selling).

Reading about these decisions motivated and inspired me so much that I decided to share some of the main points with you.

You have the ability to incorporate into your life these seven decisions that will determine your personal success. Below are very brief excerpts of each decision; I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

1.    THE BUCK STOPS HERE: I will not let my history control my destiny. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive.

2.    I WILL SEEK WISDOM: I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes. I will read and listen only to what increases my belief in myself and my future. I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. I will listen to the counsel of those who are wise. By learning from other people’s wisdom, I add their knowledge and experience to my own and dramatically increase my success. I will not look for someone to open my door; instead, I will seek to open the door for someone else.

3.    I AM A PERSON OF ACTION: I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. Knowing that laziness is a sin, I will create a habit of lively behavior. I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits. I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now.

4.    I HAVE A DECIDED HEART: I am passionate about my vision for the future. The power to control my direction belongs to me. Today I will begin to exercise that power. I will awaken every morning with an excitement about the new day and its opportunities for growth and change. Yes, I have a dream. It is a great dream. My hopes, my passions, my vision for the future are my very existence. A person without a dream never had a dream come true. My course has been charted, and my destiny is assured.

5.    TODAY I WILL CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY: Happiness is a choice. I am enthusiastic about each day. I am alert to its possibilities. I will become the master of my emotions. I will greet each day with laughter. I know that enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world. The world belongs to the enthusiastic, for people will follow them anywhere! My smile has become my calling card. It is, after all, the most important weapon I possess. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.

6.    I WILL GREET THIS DAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT: By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I will forgive those who have criticized me unjustly. I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead. I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity. I will forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

7.    I WILL PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION: I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit. I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.” I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average. I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome-my success-is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions. I strongly believe that there is nothing you can’t do if you have the proper mindset and conviction. Hire me to speak to your organization, company, or next event, and let me help you chart your path to creating a productive mindset that will last a lifetime. Contact me directly at 402-680-8448 or van@vandeeb.com

Thank you to Ericka Heidvogel for giving me this book and the inspiration for my February newsletter. Ericka, you were right. . . it is me.

Welcome to my brand new website. I am excited to launch this site as it represents a new level of the commitment and passion I have to share and motivate audiences across the country. Let me know what you think of the new site!