In his audio e-book, 10 Habits to Swell Your Bank Account, Mike Green cites "discipline" as one of the 10 bank-account-swelling habits. I once received an email from an online marketing friend, which stated something to the effect of "how hard do we work? If people think earning money online is easy their crazy. Don't burn to much midnight oil."
Self-discipline is a crucial factor in developing business success. Whether you are online or offline you'll need to develop some level of self-discipline. As I was reading Mr. Green's e-book I began to think about the factors or "disciplines" that make up business self-discipline.
I think the first discipline is developing an understand that you're home business, your entrepreneurial project, your online part-time business is a job. It's one more form of employment but you're working for yourself, your family, your partners, or other shareholders. Those of use who work 8-5 or are employed by others get up every morning, go to work, do our job, and receive our paycheck. You need to view your self-employment in the same manner. There will be no profit without regular, sometimes monotonous effort.
The second discipline, I believe, is consistency. Have a time for everything and everything done in it's time. Set a time to perform administrative tasks such as maintain the books; set a time to engage in management tasks such as meeting or being with employees and do it. Set times to develop goals and budgets and do it. Be consistent in your projects, endeavors, and campaigns. If you decide on a given marketing campaign be assured one of the factors that will determine the success of the campaign will be your willingness to be consistent in your marketing. Consistency develops brand awareness, product/service recognition, and credibility.
Consistency also means answering every business inquiry, every phone call, every email, every fax, every phone message in a timely and customer friendly manner. This builds trustworthiness and credibility which over the long term will serve you very well.
For those who work from their homes, consistency tends to be difficult thus it's important to develop a work area and a work schedule that integrates with your family, friends, and other engagements. You then need to hold the line and be consistent with that schedule and area.
For example, I check my email in the early evening and I make sure to inform my kids that I'll be with them when I'm done and not before. I also work on my website in the late evening hours and my wife know that rarely should I be interrupted. I also keep a fairly consistent schedule concerning how often and when I write articles; how often and when I visit online forums; and when I read articles and research pertaining to my online business.
Which brings me to the third discipline. I believe the third discipline making up self-discipline is ongoing learning. Whether you're in business online, offline or both you should be making a disciplined effort to stay abreast of your chosen field of business. You should be reading articles, reading research, engaging in discussion with professional colleagues, and in generally always attempting to grow your knowledge base.
For my business, "Consumer Thinking.com" I read at least one academic journal article per week; I read at least one online business/marketing article per day and I read at least one ebook per week. This is in addition to the three hardcopy books I have going.
This practice provide me with several benefits.
1) I always have material for writing fresh articles;
2) I always have fresh information to use when I'm visiting online forums;
3) I always have fresh material for developing new information products; and
4) I am assured of quality, relevant content for my monthly ezine.
By always expanding your knowledge base and increasing your learning it helps you develop credibility and legitimacy in your chosen field, profession, or business.
The fourth and final discipline that I've identified is the discipline of sacrifice. Every successful entrepreneur and self-employed business person I know and know of have engaged in the discipline of sacrifice. They've given up entertainment for extra marketing; they've sacrificed sleep for quiet hours to be creative and productive; they've sacrificed leisure time for learning. If you plan on being successful in business you'll need to give up a few hours in front of the television or fewer nights out at the bars and clubs. If your focus, vision, and business are worthwhile the sacrifice will be worth it.
There is no avoiding self-discipline if you plan on being successfully self-employed. You'll need to sacrifice, be consistent, keep learning, and view your self-employment as a real job. Combining discipline with patience, focus, and passion tends to lead to success.
*************************************
Darrin F. Coe holds a masters degree in professional psychology specializing in consumer thinking. He publishes "The Darrin Coe Ezine" monthly with archives at http://www.consumer-thinking.com/dcezine.html.
Visit and consider subscribing.
You can contact him at http://www.consumer-thinking.com/dcezine.html. *************************************
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareChoice isn't always a matter of being able to choose... Read More
You have probably heard the term "IQ" many times, and... Read More
With topics in personal development ranging from goal setting to... Read More
There is no substitute for direct personal application. Information or... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
Hold a "progressive" goal party If you have a group... Read More
If you are sick and tired of the dreaming phase... Read More
A couple days ago I was listening to a CD... Read More
On a raw, cold day in the European Alps, Lance... Read More
As I have worked with people over the years I... Read More
Have you ever heard of the "secrets of success"? Many... Read More
Several years ago, I attended a "success" seminar in northern... Read More
Choose a personal theme song and soundtrack that stirs you... Read More
Most of your behavior is determined by your habits. Everything... Read More
What's holding you back?One of my clients came to me... Read More
Create an environment that is so inspiring and nurturing that... Read More
Cool Facts: Walt Disney went bankrupt several times before he... Read More
Jim Rohn wrote in his book The Five Major Pieces... Read More
I did it my way -Frank SinatraWhat is a successful... Read More
I was talking about my business to a stranger the... Read More
Material or physical success is often measured by the level... Read More
What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More
The best way to predict your future is to create... Read More
A young girl opens a birthday card from her grand... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..You can be a master achiever by developing the same... Read More
You will have the greatest success if you read the... Read More
"Things might have been worse"This is the most powerful, dynamic,... Read More
Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More
J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More
Everyone wants to be successful. Everyone wants to have more,... Read More
Success starts in your mind. Positive Thinking creates the advantage.Success... Read More
The Outlaw Josey Wales is an interesting Western that I... Read More
It goes without saying that we are unlikely to experience... Read More
Absolutely no one can underestimate the power of the mind... Read More
They 'do it' by sharpening their FOCUS on the task... Read More
Think back to a time in your life when you... Read More
Nicholas Darvas, escaping his war-torn homeland, Hungary, sought refuge in... Read More
Hey Future Millionaire,There's so much value in reading about the... Read More
Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't... Read More
I don't need to be a gypsy fortune teller to... Read More
Money will buy me a house, but not a home,... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
There are times when we feel we should take action,... Read More
Can anyone become a successful businessperson? I am asked this... Read More
Do you still keep that all important 'Inner Spark Alive'?... Read More
Taking action is the strongest way to create success in... Read More
How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More
All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy... Read More
In this brief article we will explore four methods that... Read More
Success |