Some day is not a day of the week. Saying you’re going to do something “some day” isn’t a plan and it isn’t realistic. When I hear “some day” I hear “never going to happen.” If you want something, don’t talk about some day. Pick a day and put it on the calendar and get it done.
In other words:
A goal is a dream with a deadline.
-Napoleon Hill
Discipline is the path to accomplishment. With discipline, you can accomplish anything. Without it, accomplishment will always be out of reach.
Here’s a great quote on discipline from none other than Mike Tyson:
Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but doing it like you love it.
Focus on what you can control. There is no point in worrying about what is out of your control, like whether the economy is in a recession. Instead, take measure of what you can personally affect and take action to make your life better.
I didn’t realize this when I was growing up, but my dad was also an entrepreneur. He ran a small company that he and his business partner built over 18 years. My dad had a plaque on his desk that said, “LEAD FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY”.
Perhaps I absorbed this through osmosis as I grew up, but I am a get s#it done (GSD) kind of guy. I have a strong drive to be productive and I am happiest when I feel that I am accomplishing something or working my way towards goals. To GSD on a team, you MUST lead follow or get out of the way.
LEAD: If no one is taking charge and something needs to happen, you have to step up and take the lead. You will find yourself more often than not in the leadership role because most people do not have a natural tendency to lead.
FOLLOW: If someone is taking charge and you believe them to be capable and competent, follow. Ask how you can help. Become that person’s enabler and help them lead even better by being the best follower you can be.
GET OUT OF THE WAY: No matter what happens, nothing will slow the team or company down faster than someone who gets in the way. People who get in the way are generally unhelpful or aren’t willing to do the work. They don’t follow up up tasks that are assigned to them. They complain about the direction the team is headed or problems that are being encountered along the way. They drag teams down, and people like this can singlehandedly make a world-class team mediocre. If you have someone on your team who won’t get out of the way, you need to address it and get them onboard or get them off the team.