School. Harboring some of my least-favorite memories. Not because I didn't like learning. Trust me, I'd give up any one of my adult days for one of those care-free school days. However, I can't help but frown sometimes about school because it felt like I was constantly being told what to do and how to do it. Especially, how to behave. Needless to say, if you did something that was outside of the guidelines, you'd be facing some type of "disciplinary action". As we get older and wiser, we realize it was for our own good. What can seem difficult is how to re-incorporate discipline in life. Not because others tell you to - but because you choose to.
The chapter on "A Culture of Discipline" makes one thing quite clear: an adherence to "The Hedgehog Concept" is prime. To be disciplined enough to stick to it, and not deviate. This means to ignore and blatantly STOP doing things that do not fit into the three circles. That is most of it in a nut-shell. However, I doubt most company cultures would even have the discipline just to identify their Hedgehog Concept, much less adhere to it. Another theme made clear is the distinct difference between a culture that is disciplined (because the employees already are) vs. one that requires discipline... by a "Tyrant". For us gamers, doesn't that word remind you of Resident Evil? :-D
Unfortunately, it feels like most companies would want to have these "disciplinary tyrants" on board. After all, they have what it takes to get everyone motivated! Getting results. Telling everyone what to do and how to do it. Bring it on. However, "everyone" can comprise of the wrong people on the bus to begin with.
So - am I a disciplined person? I am definitely self-motivated. It does help to have a "New" definition of what it means to be disciplined. Yes... here I go again, back to the 7 Habits. Habit #3, Put First Things First. Dr. Covey speaks of discipline very early in the chapter. He describes it when regarding "an effective manager of your self". Basically, Dr. Covey points our that discipline derives from disciple - a "follower". In this case, you become a follower of yourself, your "own values and their source".
Disciple. This is a new way of looking at one of my most feared words. If I can become a follower of myself, of my own principles - I feel like I can manage that. Now, it's a matter of me laying out my principles and values, along with my 3 circles of my "personal hedgehog concept" ;-). And adhering to it - ignoring and stop doing anything that does not fit. Now, what would happen if I just follow myself on Twitter?
Hi Fernando,
ReplyDeleteIt is been a while since I have read your entry but the one on the topic of discipline caught my eye. I had similar experience as you. While growing up, the word gave me such as negative impression that I ran away from it for while until I realized that I was integrating it in variety of ways in my career and personal life which paid of in many positive ways. I hope that I can somehow teach this concept a little differently to my kids so that they don't fear discipline as much as I once did. Thanks for this post.
Hi Neelam.
DeleteThank you for the comment. It is interesting how much discipline impacts our lives. I suppose that if we were to learn early in life important it is, maybe the "rebel without a cause" teenage years would be minimized... LOL. I can only guess defining the principles and being a living example of them is key. Whenever Lisa & I are blessed with little ones, I can only hope and pray that I will be strong enough to walk the talk. :-)