Businesses of any kind will face many difficult circumstances. Those circumstances create complicated constraining forces; some are almost unfair. How these circumstances are handled will determine sustainability. Leaders must be disciplined enough to stay focused on what is in fact important to success. When we focus on what is important, we see the realities of the circumstances in a different light. We can choose to problem solve, develop new approaches and take action. The choice to keep doing what has always been done will be unacceptable.

Granted, change is often uncomfortable. Convincing employees that the discomfort of needed change is worth it will be challenging; that is why discipline is so critical. We need discipline in how we think through the circumstances. We need discipline to follow through on the actions we believe are the best solution. Commitment and accountability once again become part of the answer because being disciplined is being committed to the planned action. Disciplined people are accountable.

There is not one right way to make the right choices and be disciplined. You can seek your own path or utilize one of the many models that can be found in the literature today. I just finished reading a new book, Beat the Odds, written by Robert Rudzki. Rudzki provides a well organized set of practices that embrace disciplined thinking and actions. Nothing fancy, nothing special, but it is a good way to identify opportunities to build choice and discipline into your business. Whatever way you choose to explore your long-term sustainability, be disciplined. It starts with the choice to make the time to do it.

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