When you think of someone disciplined, you might imagine someone who's up at the crack of dawn, who never hits snooze and has a spotless track record of getting everything done.

Spoiler alert: that's not me.

I have my fair share of skipped workouts and unread emails. But somehow, I manage to get the big, important things done.

I've built a business and a life that I love, not because I have perfect discipline - not at all - but because I’ve figured out what’s important to me.

Discipline Where It Counts

I have discipline as one of my top strengths, but only when it counts the most. It's about getting a grasp on the things that are critical to me. For example, in my earlier years, I managed to buy four houses before the age of 30 while juggling a full-time HR role, running a side hustle and studying at university. Impressive? Perhaps. But not everything demanded the same level of discipline. My university work? Let's just say I did just enough to get by and that's perfectly fine because I'm more street smart than book smart.

When Discipline Becomes a Curse

Being disciplined also has a down side. Around 18 months ago, I pledged to walk 20,000 steps each day. At first, I thought it would be easy, but it soon became a borderline obsession. Missing a step count isn’t an option for me. While some might call it dedication, this level of discipline can also feel like a curse because I'm unable to let myself off the hook - ever. The decision-making strain disappears when discipline kicks in, but the inflexibility can sometimes be stifling.

What Are Your Big Rocks?

The million-dollar question is: What are your big rocks? What are the big things that matter to you and are you putting the discipline, the effort and the structure in place in those areas?

For some, it’s revenue. For others it’s visibility. Everyone's path to discipline and success is different so it’s about finding what resonates with you and being disciplined with the things that truly matter.

Emma McQueen:

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For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://emmamcqueen.com.au/want-more/emmas-book/