100 Ways to Motivate Others

46. Know What You Want to Grow

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

—Jim Rohn, author and motivator

Most managers, especially those who struggle with “making a plan,” place the plan’s numbers down around sixth on their daily priority list. Most struggling managers place these things above the “plan” in their priority hierarchy:

1. Not upsetting other people’s feelings.

2. The commitment to looking extremely busy.

3. Firefighting and problem-solving.

4. Explaining and justifying other people’s performances, both up and down the ladder.

5. Being liked.

We saw a brilliant business consultant come into a struggling, financially failing company and turn everything around. He did it by altering priorities. The first thing he ...