Sports Illustrated’s profile of Sam Hinkie kept me riveted even on a crowded flight with crying babies. I am entirely uneducated about basketball, but I loved reading about his mind, his process, his approach to life.
Here’s my favorite bite: “People are too willing to scratch the itch of the near thing. Discipline is the difference between what you want and what you want most and what you really, really want.”
Perfect example in my life: What do I want? A brownie. What do I want most? Comfort and relief. What do I really really want? A healthy thriving body that fits into my beautiful clothes. So, if I apply discipline, no brownie goes into my mouth, right? Not so fast.
Launching my business has been incredibly stressful and challenging. This has been an intense year. So, if I’m really looking deeply, this is the real truth: What do I want? A brownie. What do I want most? A healthy thriving body that fits into my beautiful clothes. What do I really really want? Comfort and relief. I’m desperate for any form of respite, even if it’s self-destructive! And so, eating the brownie gets me what I really really want, but not what I want most.
Discipline works beautifully when we are clear about our deep desires, needs and beliefs. If we don’t know what’s underneath, discipline only goes so far – what we really really want roars up and takes over our lives. The great book on this topic is Immunity to Change, by Lisa Lahey and Robert Kegan – see also my recipe for change.
As you look at your goals for 2017, do some spelunking. Find out what you really, really want – as a leader, as a communicator, as a person. That way you can apply your discipline to creating that thing in your life and you’ll succeed! Me, I’m going to find comfort and relief that also helps me get back into that leopard pencil skirt!
Communication is the essential last mile in finding and motivating the right teams, acquiring strong allies, powerfully bonding with customers, and capturing mindshare with compelling stories. Nothing will serve you and your vision better than developing exceptional communication skills.
