How to Stay Disciplined at Work: in the Words of an Athlete
by Jasmin Taylor - 5 time Skiing World Cup Winner
Discipline is a funny one. Most people who know me well would probably describe me as disciplined, but I’m not disciplined everywhere in my life, and I can’t imagine many people are. The parts of my life where I do manage my best discipline is training, competing and other aspects I enjoy, like making time for family and friends. Other areas such as washing my clothes is far less interesting and therefore falls by the wayside.
I think the key to discipline is long-term vision. You could opt for a quick fix or you could think of the bigger picture.
Measure Goals vs Resources
Athletes have competition schedules, goals, and aspirations for what they want to achieve at those events. To support that, we have training programs designed to help reach those goals and aspirations.
It might sound intense (and it can be) but when you break it down, it’s actually very simple. You want to achieve something challenging, so you need to think about how long it will take, what resources you’ll need, whose expertise you’ll rely on, and what specific actions are required.
Enjoy Small, Regular Accomplishments
I like using “to-do lists” because ticking something off is satisfying – it gives you a small sense of accomplishment. If your tasks are written clearly, then each day all you need to do is show up, follow the plan, and chip away at your goals. Setting short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals can help keep you motivated along the way.
It also helps to make everything as simple and accessible as possible – there’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to find what you need! Being organised is crucial: 1) for your own peace of mind, and 2) for everyone else involved in the project. I find that when everyone is clear on the goal and aligned, things run much more smoothly and that’s where strong communication really matters.
My Final 3 Tips
So, my main tips to stay disciplined at work are:
- Make a plan: time frame, resources needed, people required and your role
- Be organised: keep to do lists, and keep written records of important points
- Clear communication: keep everyone informed
