As we quickly approach the end of 2022 (where did the time go?), you likely need a break to catch your breath and reflect on all you accomplished this year.
But right after you take that breath, you’re rolling into 2023. So, get ready. There will be zillions of new year’s resolutions pouring forth soon.
I saw a funny meme recently that said, “I’m opening a gym called Resolutions. It will have exercise equipment for the first two weeks and then it turns into a wine bar for the rest of the year.” Hopefully your credit union or community bank’s 2023 resolutions aren’t as short-lived as the exercise equipment in the meme.
After all, you want to achieve every goal you set and achieve it at the highest possible level. In essence, you want total success. And while there are several ingredients to success, there are none as critical as discipline.
A Recipe for Success
Let’s look at the University of Alabama’s head football coach, Nick Saban, to see a recipe for success.
Year after year, his program ranks near the top of college football. Despite losing the best players to the NFL each year and the best coaches to opportunities at the next level (Saban develops leaders), he regularly lands at the top of the rankings. His consistent excellence is as remarkable as it is expected.
How does he do it? Here’s how.
Saban says a person needs three things to be successful: (1) a vision, (2) a process and (3) discipline. He goes on to say that everyone has the first two—a vision and a process. But hardly anyone has the discipline to ensure they stick to the process so they can achieve the vision.
Actually having success requires doing the right thing everyday, and just as importantly, avoiding the daily items hindering your mission
Simple, But Not Easy
Saban is right—in sports, in our companies and in life. So many times, we know what to do. We want to be successful. We know what success looks like. We even draft planning documents as a guide to help us on that pathway to success.
Where we fail is at the discipline to consistently do the right things every day.
Often, the best answer is the simplest and most obvious. Discipline. That’s the not-so-secret sauce to success. It’s simple, but it’s not easy.
Just Start
The best thing you can do is start. Start small with micro-habits, check-ins and feedback loops you measure and adjust as time progresses. Rinse and repeat. Just start.
One great way to get the ball moving is leadership training that emphasizes discipline as the driving force behind successful completion of your vision and processes. Start instilling discipline into your leaders today when you book a free consultation with On The Mark Strategies.
