Discipline always involves focus, and focus involves narrowing the scope of things from many to one. An eagle or a hawk focused on its prey will more than likely have a meal. There are even animals that can hypnotize their prey through their intense single-minded focus. Perhaps there was a time in your life that you pursued something with all your energy and focus. It you did not give up, more than likely you achieved your goal.
Today I invite you to take the One-Thing-Done-Well challenge. Ask yourself what one thing you would like to do well today, this week, this month, etc. Then discipline yourself to write out a plan to get it done. If research is involved, plan time to gather your information. Deciding on one thing is the first big part of the challenge. The next part is determining what will be needed to get the job done. The discipline of execution will require the greatest part of your focus. Other things will arise that will call for your attention. You may even want to change your mind about the one-thing.
If you start with small things and baby steps, accomplishing one thing and then another, you will develop the discipline of focused accomplishments. Once this discipline becomes habitual, you will accomplish everything you set your mind to achieve. To develop the discipline of one-thing-done-well you may want to apply the adage, “If a task is once begun, leave it not until it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”