Discipline crucial to long-term success
Back in the day, I used to play college baseball in a very competitive division in the Maryland area.
As a starting pitcher, most of my training consisted of developing enough stamina, internal strength, and consistent repetition in my pitching mechanics to outperform opposing teams during the season.
During the season my daily physical training routine consisted of an early 45-minute workout prior to my 8 a.m. classes. This was followed by our regular 2:30 p.m. team practice and a 30-minute run after our team practice.
As the season went on, my body and stamina kept getting stronger. In the later innings of games, I felt full of energy and competitive drive. During these college playing days, I developed a strong work ethic that translated into what I do today as a business professional.
In business and in sports you must develop daily routines to enhance your skills and make you stronger in your professional journey.
Without that discipline, it is almost impossible to have a long-term/successful career. As a business owner, I remain competitive and sharp by following this regime consistently — no matter what: 1. Read and educate yourself about your industry. Knowledge is power, the more we learn and stay curious and passionate about our called vocation, the better the chances of experiencing success at what you do! For me, in the restaurant industry, I love learning about other cultures and eating. This gives me life, and most importantly, I’m able to share that passion with our customers through the food we serve at our restaurants.
2. Educate yourself on business accounting and finance. Learn how to understand the numbers that affect your business. Accounting and finance are the languages of business. If you cannot speak the language, your time in business will be very rough. I came to America when I was 16, not knowing English. It was rough! The good news is, like anything in life, you can learn a new language and become fluent and comfortable with it. This takes time and dedication, but once you grasp it, life becomes much easier and enjoyable. Reading financial news/accounting principles for 10 to 20 minutes a day will give you an edge.
3. Work out. Go for a jog or walk, do some burpees, sit-ups, pushups. Hit the gym, get on your bike, and/or get on your treadmill. The key is to get your body moving for 30 to 40 minutes 3 to 5 times a week, by doing so, you’ll start to develop the stamina and energy that’s needed to run a company in the long term. Once you make weekly workouts part of your routine, the more well-rounded business person you will become. Strong body, strong mind.
4. Meditate. Spent 5 to 10 minutes a day training your mind to be present and in the
moment. While you’re at it, acknowledge that there is a higher power and be thankful and grateful. You will be surprised by the mighty benefits this brings while running a company. Meditation can makes you more disciplined in your thinking which is a great tool for someone who consistently has to make tough decisions. 5. Set goals for yourself and hold yourself accountable to achieving them. When I was at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Professor Jerry Porras (co-author of bestseller “Success Build to Last: Creating A Life That Matters”) was teaching about the importance of setting big goals in life and in business. The psychology behind his thought process was that once you made up your mind and are determined to commit to a goal, you should do it well and do it big.
You should remain consistent and be patient, but as long as you stay the course, the universe will align itself and give you what you are seeking.
As a student of the world of business, I have come to the realization that the most successful companies are not the ones with the most innovative products and services, but the ones that are most consistent and disciplined at staying true to their core mission and brand promise.
How many times have you visited a restaurant to find a menu filled with Italian food options, barbecue food options, Asian food options? The choices can be all over the place. Then, when you try one of the many dishes, they are very disappointing. (I was guilty of building that kind of menu early in my career).
Then, when you visit a restaurant like Chick-fil-A where their entire menu is based around a simple product — a good chicken sandwich— they deliver that delicious product (consistently) to their customers.
That kind of discipline will take your business to a higher level, no matter the circumstances. In business, you will never be able to predict the future, but you can always commit to staying true to your core values. Remain consistent to make positive progress while delivering on your brand’s promise.