The Fly Girl Guide to Slaying Discipline
It's the first Monday in October and if a new week doesn't excite you, then you need to check your hustle. It's the fourth quarter and this is the time to set yourself up for success in the new year. If you want to make moves like a boss, then you must be extremely focused and disciplined. Oprah wasn’t built in a day, but she definitely wasn’t turning up every weekend while building HARPO. For years Beyoncé put herself on an 11pm curfew. She would go out, set the world ablaze, and be home by 11:00pm. Greatness requires discipline. Train yourself to go hard. You can want something but if you don’t buckle down and put in the work, your business, project, and goals will never come into fruition.
Fortunately, discipline comes easy for me. I chalk it up to me being a meticulous Taurus and being raised by a military father. When I was in elementary school, every Sunday I would go through my binder and reorganize for the upcoming school week. And now in my adult years I have mastered time management, how to delegate work to others, and ultimately how to grind and get things done.
So how does a fly girl slay discipline? You gotta get yourself some focus. While you turn up, I'm slaying my to-do list. Peep my tips below:
- I know how long it takes me to do various activities and I plan accordingly. When I say my time management is on point, I mean it’s on point. I know how long my workouts average. I know how long it takes me to write a certain post, compose an email, draft a marketing plan for a client, and various correspondence. I wake up early every day to ensure I have enough time for my day-to-day activities. That includes errands such as running to the post office or Trader Joe’s.
- I keep a routine. I am up and out the door at a certain time most days of the week. I meal prep and eat the same foods. I don’t believe in using my creative mind on mundane decisions. I don’t have time to think about my meals. I personally don’t mind buying a pack of turkey bacon for the week and eating it with avocado and toast after my workouts. I don’t have to convince myself each morning to go to the gym. I just go. It’s a part of my morning. I like to be way into my work by the time DJ Envy’s (of Power 105) People’s Choice Mix starts. Routine and discipline go hand and hand.
- I outsource the work I don’t have time for. I have an editor, graphic designer, and a photographer, all whom I trust. I email my Fly Squad and I trust them to come back with a completed project that speaks to the voice of The Fly Girl Guide. (Build a team of people you trust who understand your vision. Surround yourself with people who believe in your goals. Let them help you. You support them and they support you.)
- I grind. After all is said and done, I put in the work. I focus on the bigger picture at all times. Focusing on the goal allows me to say no to a lot of distractions. Is it fun? Not always. Is it selfish? Sometimes. But if I don’t spend time building my dreams, then how will they come true? I must sow the seed. And the difference will show. You turn up. I earn up. That happy hour with your coworkers could have been spent working on your business plan, finishing a paper, starting a blog, or even hitting the gym. Yes, you do have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyoncé. And yes, she does have a team that keeps her on track, but I’m sure she isn’t BSing her day away.
Greatness takes focus and discipline. Your goals aren’t going to work themselves. Sacrifice today for a future you can be proud of. Instead of tweeting #wasted and #friyay, do something that will bring you closer to your dreams.
Make sure to listen to my latest podcast. I'm giving the tea on if you stay ready than you don't have to get ready. Listen here: ow.ly/efsT304LLbR #theflygirlguidepodcast
