{"id":47327,"date":"2023-10-20T15:53:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/seven-key-ways-to-create-iron-self-discipline-page-2-of-2-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:53:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:53:17","slug":"seven-key-ways-to-create-iron-self-discipline-page-2-of-2-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/seven-key-ways-to-create-iron-self-discipline-page-2-of-2-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven key ways to create iron self-discipline – Page 2 of 2 – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"

4. Write your goals down<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Those starting out need to be extremely goal orientated, says Lisa Phillips of Amazing Coaching.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Indeed, while business plans are ubiquitous among start-ups, specific goal-setting is often overlooked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe goals you set need to be inspirational and centred on the types of clients you want, details of your cashflow or the size you want your business to be by a particular point in time,\u201d says Phillips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once the goal is written down, read your goals every day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook at the goal you\u2019ve written down and imagine it\u2019s the day after and consider how that feels. Every time you achieve a small task toward achieving that goal, give yourself a reward,\u201d she advises.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, make sure you tick off tasks throughout the day to keep the passion coming in.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A reward could be a massage, a couple of hours off, time at the beach or a meal out with friends, she says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Richard Kuipers turned Two Men & A Truck from a small two-man operation into Australia\u2019s fastest growing family-owned removal and relocation business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He says it\u2019s vital to reflect on where you want to take your business and how you plan to do it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey say that if you don\u2019t know where you are going, any road will lead you there. Draw a map for your business\u2019 journey and set targets.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Also make sure you look after yourself, so that you eat when hungry and sleep when tired, he says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNurture yourself and you nurture your business as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Ask for help<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Whether from a friend, business advisor, your partner or family, make sure you ask for help, Kuipers says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You may spearhead the business, but getting professional advice and reflection from others can be invaluable for your sanity and your business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOften we take our business on by ourselves thinking it\u2019s all up to us to manage alone, when there are times we are not actually qualified to do that,\u201d Kuipers says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

6. Pay yourself<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

Particularly in the early days of running a business, it is important to pay yourself, Kuipers says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy to get lost in paying bills and staff and contractors, outgoings and taxes and end up with little or nothing, which can be disheartening.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A good rule is to pay yourself 10% of everything that comes in to the business first, and then pay everything else, Kuipers says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have more left over \u2013 great, that is profit,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing money build up in your pocket gives you the drive to keep going, feel valued and have a sense of achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. Accept failure is part of the process<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remain positive so negative thoughts don\u2019t take over, says Phillips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But, at the same time, you need to accept that failure is part of the process, so don\u2019t beat yourself up about it, she says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes people will fail you or you won\u2019t reach your goal, but it\u2019s your job to be positive and push through this and keep reaching for the next goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Emma Grey, who runs work\/life balance consultancy WorkLifeBliss, agrees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFear of failure is commonly behind procrastination,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cImagine you\u2019ll definitely succeed and plan out the steps you\u2019d take if that was going to be the case. Then take the first step.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kelly Brough is the owner of start-up eCommerce site Oola.com.au, which stocks fun toys that teach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She says it\u2019s important to learn quickly from mistakes and then banish them from your mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEvery small business owner will make some wrong choices. It is frustrating, but harping on negatives only eats away at the positive energy that drives us forward. Find the lesson in your mistake, but don\u2019t harp on the bad stuff,\u201d Brough says.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Five essential steps to keeping iron start-up discipline:<\/h3>\n