“Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.” – Jim Rohn
Entrepreneurial success stories are often celebrated for their moments of brilliance, but the unsung hero behind the scenes is discipline. This core attribute is what transforms ideas into viable businesses and dreams into reality.
Michael Dell started Dell Computers from his college dorm room. His disciplined approach to business operations—focusing on cost-efficient, customizable computers sold directly to consumers—disrupted the traditional computer sales model. Dell’s commitment to disciplined innovation, customer service, and supply chain management allowed his company to thrive in a competitive market.
Discipline is also about persistence. Take Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda Motor Co. He faced numerous setbacks, including rejected prototypes and a factory that was destroyed twice (once by an earthquake and once by bombing during WWII). Yet, his discipline in innovating and perfecting his designs led to the creation of one of the most recognized and successful automotive brands in the world.
These entrepreneurs demonstrate how discipline is not just about maintaining order, but also about being relentlessly consistent in the pursuit of excellence.
Action Step: What is one area of your business that lacks discipline? Is it in the follow-up, the quality control, the customer service? Focus on implementing one systematic process this month to bring order and consistency to this area.
Discipline is the engine of long-term achievement and profitability.
To learn more about building discipline into your business, be sure to check out our book of the week “The Road Less Stupid” by Keith Cunningham.