Many people feel that they lack self-discipline in certain areas and they often assume that, “That’s just the way I am.” Are some leaders born with natural qualities and abilities that make self-discipline easy for them? It may be true that there are such things as natural born leaders, however most leaders are made by hard work and self-development. Every master was once a disaster. Every expert was once an amateur.
The fact is that YOU can develop whatever leadership styles and qualities that you consider desirable and necessary. For some people it will be easier, and for others it will take more time and effort. But each person has the inborn ability to shape his or her character and personality in a positive way by being clear about his or her future intent and determined enough to press forward through the difficulties, resistance, and setbacks.
- Develop the Leadership Styles You Desire
The process of developing disciplines or leadership styles is simple, though not easy. Nothing worthwhile is easy. First, decide upon the one discipline that can be most helpful to you in your career at the moment. Don’t try to change several things about yourself at one time or to develop several disciplines for yourself simultaneously, no matter how attractive and desirable they may be. Your basic need is to focus and concentrate on the development of a single discipline until it is locked in and becomes a part of your personality. Then you can move on to the development of the next discipline on your list.
The good news is that every act of discipline strengthens and reinforces all your other disciplines. At the same time, it will increase your self-confidence. You must be vigilant. Everything counts!
- Program the New Discipline Into Your Mind
Once you have chosen a discipline to develop, begin to think about how you would behave if you had this discipline or habit already. See yourself acting or reacting in a situation where you want to practice you new leadership styles. Then, create a positive affirmation for your self to continually reinforce the new discipline. You will actually become what you say to yourself about yourself over and over again. This will build your self-confidence and you will begin to see yourself in a new light.
- Never Allow Exceptions
Once you have decided on the discipline you are going to develop, the key is for you to launch strongly on your new discipline. Resolve to never allow an exception until it becomes permanent. If you “fall off the wagon,” immediately restate your affirmation or command to yourself and begin again. This is the only way you can succeed.
- Persistence and Self-Discipline
The best part of this process of developing leadership styles and disciplines is the direct relationship between self-discipline and persistence. The more you persist, in any endeavor, the greater self-discipline and self-confidence you will develop. It has been well said that, “Persistence is self-discipline in action.”
The more consistently you practice your chosen disciplines, the more you will like and respect yourself. You will feel more confident and optimistic. You will become more effective in every area of your life. When you develop the disciplines of leadership excellence, you will become a more powerful and resourceful leader, get more done, have greater self-confidence and succeed at higher levels in everything you attempt.
