SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best

Chapter 23. Crack That Whip!

SUPERCOMPETENT Hero Thinking:	Rather than waste even small amounts of time, I get right to work.
SIMPLY COMPETENT Zero Thinking:	Whew! That was exhausting. I need a break! I'll go get a cup of coffee and say hello to my friend Susan.

Self-discipline is important in any field of endeavor. Do you complete a task within a certain time frame when you promise someone you will? Or does the deadline slip past with you muttering to yourself, "Stupid! What is wrong with you?" Now you aren't able to focus on anything, always aware of this dark cloud hanging over your head. Guilt sucks the energy right out of you!

Instead, decide today to be a person of your word. How do other people perceive you? Are you reliable? Can people count on you to do what you say you're going to do? Do you have integrity and keep the deadlines you promise? Do you live out what you affirm? Do you do what you complain about in others? What things do people jokingly say about you and your behavior?

Learn to control yourself and your habits. If you say to yourself, "I probably shouldn't be doing this right now," you're probably right. Be honest with yourself: How many hours could you save every day by being more disciplined? Could you leave the office earlier with that saved time? If tomorrow you arrived at work and didn't get a cup of coffee, didn't get on the Internet, didn't talk to your friend, didn't get sucked into e-mail for 90 minutes . . . where could you use the extra energy that would ...