There are many ways to do fine work. Some people aim to do their best by following the disciplined approach rather than the disorganised or desperate approach.
Such people often start by setting a specific goal. They then aim to be disciplined by following certain Dos and Don’ts on the way towards delivering the goods.
Different people follow this approach in different ways. The first step, however, is often for them to set a specific goal in their personal or professional lives.
They may aim to improve their health, maintain a positive attitude, encourage a person or achieve another personal goal. They may aim to find a job, improve as a leader, build a business or achieve another professional goal.
Imagine that a person has started by setting a specific goal. They may then take the following steps on the way towards delivering the goods.
They Are Disciplined
Different people have different approaches to being determined and disciplined. Whatever approach they take, they often follow certain routines on the way to delivering the desired results.
Some people seem to have natural self-discipline in the activities where they excel. They may also learn how to enjoy the journey – such as enjoying following their daily disciplines – as much as reaching the goal.
Some people learn to follow the disciplined approach later in life. They may focus their efforts on doing certain kinds of work, following their vocation or aiming to achieve a specific goal.
Such people learn how to be good at priority management. Some take they following approach:
They clarify they specific goal they want to achieve and the positive benefits of achieving the goal.
They clarify the strategies they can follow to give themselves the greatest chance of achieving the goal.
They clarify the specific action plan they can follow to do their best to achieve the goal.
Some people prepare properly and plan ahead to follow certain daily disciplines. They then get into the habit of following good habits without thinking as they work towards their goal.
Some people organise their time in blocks and cut out distractions. They are then more likely to be able to do deep work and go into a state of flow when working towards their goal.
Imagine that a person has clarified the disciplines they can follow to do their best to achieve the goal. They may then do the following exercise to remind themselves to follow these disciplines.
They Follow Certain
Dos And Don’ts
Imagine that a person has clarified the disciplines they want to follow. They may then take the following step to increase the chances of them achieving their goal.
They translate the disciplines into following certain Dos and Don’ts. They also describe these in behavioural terms. They are then more likely to translate these into action.
Different people describe different Dos and Don’ts. A person who aims to maintain a positive attitude, for example, may focus on the following things. They will then aim to keep following these Dos in their daily life.
The Dos
* Do be positive
Wake up … Count my blessings: the things I am grateful for in life … Then focus on what is important in life.
* Do encourage people
Encourage my loved ones … Help them to achieve their goals … Spend time with positive people.
* Do see things in perspective
Stay calm … Buy time by counting to ten before responding … Do my best during my time on the planet.
The recovering alcoholic may aim to take responsibility, stay healthy and manage their emotions in a positive way. They will translate these principles into specific actions they can follow one day at a time.
The counsellor may create an environment in which a person can feel at ease, set goals and shape their future. They clarify the specific actions they can take to follow these steps in counselling sessions.
The athlete will follow a routine that helps them to be positive, professional and achieve peak performance. They will focus on the specific things they can do to perform at their personal best.
Different people clarify the Dos and Don’ts they want to follow in different ways. Some do this by completing the following exercise.
They Deliver The Goods
Imagine that a person has followed their chosen disciples and translated these into action. They will then do their best to achieve the desired goals.
Such a person will keep reading reality, however, to focus on continuous improvement. They will aim to keep building on working and finding solutions to any difficulties.
Sometimes this involves dealing with challenges. Such a person will buy time to think and then take the following steps.
They focus on what is actually happening and, when necessary, do what is required to manage any short term challenges;
They focus again on their goal, the possible options going forwards and the route they want to follow to achieve this goal;
They focus on the specific action plan they can follow, get some quick successes and continue working to achieve this goal.
People who take this approach continue to do their best and aim to deliver the goods. Different people do this in different ways. Some aim to follow their successful pattern for finishing. They take the following steps.
They focus on their positive history and recall a time in the past when they finished something successfully.
They focus on the principles they followed then – and how they translated these into action – to finish successfully.
They focus on the present situation and how they may be able to follow similar principles – plus maybe add other skills – to finish successfully.
There are many ways to do fine work. Some people aim to do their best by following the disciplined approach rather than the disorganised and desperate approach.
Such people often start by setting a specific goal. They then aim to be disciplined by following certain Dos and Don’ts on the way towards delivering the goods.
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow elements of this approach? How can you do this in your own way?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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