The dictionary definition of discipline is action or inaction that is regulated to be in accordance with a particular system of governance. Discipline is commonly applied to regulating human and animal behavior. In the academic and professional worlds a discipline is a specific branch of knowledge, learning or practice.
Being disciplined does not necessarily mean you cannot be free to do what you want when you want. According to the business dictionary, employee discipline is defined as the regulations or conditions that are imposed on employees by management in order to either correct or prevent behaviors that are detrimental to an organization.
The purpose of employee discipline is not to embarrass or degrade an employee, but to ensure the work culture is in on track and in place. Check out these seven ways to be more disciplined at work!
#1 Track Your Progress
It is important to know where you started so that when you begin to see the progress you can show how far you have come. Tracking your progress helps you become disciplined in not letting things fall through the cracks.
Create a mantra to keep yourself focused. Successful people use this technique to stay on track and establish a clear finish line. Small improvements here and there to your daily work life can increase your discipline. Instead of just listening during staff meetings, try taking notes and jot down the items that appear to be important.
#2 Have a Routine
A routine is a sequence of actions regularly followed or a fixed program. When we have a routine in place that we follow daily, it reduces the need to make useless decisions each day that are not productive to our work.
Having a routine supports us to know exactly what tasks we need to do each day without having to contemplate, decide, or think too much on following through with them. When we are finished with one task, we know what comes next without much thought, which is helpful because it keeps our mind productive and disciplined. A daily routine provides structure and a logical sequence for our work lives.
#3 Do Something You Love
When you do something you love, you automatically give it one hundred percent. If you are not happy with your current job situation, the chances of you wanting to give your work your all are slim to none. It is important to find the joy in what you do so you can level up in the company and finally get to a position where you are happy.
If you are currently not happy in your workplace, it is vital for you to get to move on to a place where you are happy or adjust your focus to the things that do make you happy. Master the idea of “practice makes perfect,” and adopt the mentality that things are temporary—you can give your job your best each day, at least for now. Even if you currently dislike your job, you won’t forever!
#4 Have a Designated Place to Work
Like some entrepreneurs, your workspace may vary from day to day. It is important to find a designated place to work so your mind automatically associates it with work time and not playtime.
It is important to choose your workplace wisely, as this is the space that you will have to get most of your work done. Choosing a place that is full of distractions is not the ideal. The beauty of a designated workplace should be that you have a location to knock out all of your tasks without distraction.
#5 Create a Regular schedule
We aren’t born with self-discipline; in reality it’s a learned behavior. A regular schedule is very similar to our daily routine since without routine we can be all over the place. If you don’t have a routine we highly encourage you to get one.
The effort and focus that self-discipline requires can be draining. It is important to be mindful of your actions as you do not want to lose focus on your goal of being the best you that you can be at work.
#6 Accountability
When you are held accountable, the chances of you backsliding and not completing a task are less likely. Have a friend, co-worker, or family member check in with you periodically to check the pulse of your work life.
By doing so, you are being held accountable and the chances of you not taking your work seriously are slim. Acknowledge your shortcomings, whatever they may be. Set your pride aside and be open with your accountability partner. Too often people either try to pretend their vulnerabilities don’t exist or cover up any pitfalls in their lives which ultimately end with them crashing and hitting rock bottom.
Own up to your flaws – if you are having difficulty with something at work ask for help. You can’t overcome them until you do.
#7 Remove Temptations
If you would like to remove temptations from your life to ensure you can be more disciplined at work, it is important to get those temptations out of sight so they are not clouding your thoughts. If you struggle with always being on social media instead of completing tasks given to you by your supervisor, for example, it may be helpful to turn your notifications off or put your phone on silent.
By simply removing your biggest temptations from your environment, you will greatly improve your self-discipline. The fewer distractions you have, the more focused you will be on accomplishing your goals and becoming more disciplined at work. Set yourself up for success by surrounding yourself around success!
When you become more discipline you will find yourself less frustrated and a lot happier in areas of your life you never imagined. With discipline comes peace. Have you tried any of our suggested ways to help you become more disciplined in your work life? What other tips would you suggest to help become more disciplined at work?
Related: 5 Ways to Bounce Back from a Work Mistake
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