Photo by Michael Gil
The word “discipline” means different things to different people.
Personnally, I like the word! I used the word “disciplined” on Twitter without even thinking about it. Almost immediately I got a reply from a someone I follow in Twitter teasing me for using that word, “@JulieWalraven did you just use that disgusting swearword “disc*****d”? GO wash your mouth out lol.”
At the time, I was talking about needing to be more disciplined in writing my blogs but overall, I really have been on a constant search for a more disciplined life style.
I implement tools to keep me disciplined.
- I use my Daytimer and write my list daily to keep things fresh in my mind. People have recommended a Blackberry or PDA but for me rewriting the list is therapeutic for me.
- For email, I use Outlook and have a myriad of folders to sort incoming mail. Alas, despite my system and the ready delete button, I admit that right now there are 475 e-mails in my inbox. Between Design Resumes and Wausau Whitewater, days blend together and I often end up working 12 to 15 hour days, 5 to 6 days a week at least and I always work some on Sundays too.
- There’s the colored pen system in my Daytimer too. It helps. When I use it.
- Working when you are most energized. I find that early morning is my favorite time to blog. I have more clarity and feel more creative.
When I started blogging, I knew that I would sooner or later have to become disciplined in that area too. Blog topics aren’t a problem for me. They float through my head all day long. If I could transcribe straight from my thoughts, I would be fine. It’s the practice of actually selecting one of those blog ideas and writing the full post that gets difficult for me.
I can always find something else that needs doing more. When I was talking about needing discipline to blog, that’s what I meant. I need to actually sit down and write. In my life, there is always something that needs doing. Boredom doesn’t ever kick in. I just have to be disciplined enough to organize my priorities.
When I get stuck in something, I turn to the experts.
Early on, before I ever started my own blog, I was reading Jim Connolly at Jim’s Marketing Blog and it has become a habit. Here’s Jim’s tips in a post titled: So, you want to write more great blog posts?
What about you?
Do you like the word discipline or does it scare you? And would it help you in your career to be more disciplined? Time for me to write my list for tomorrow!
