When it comes to entrepreneurial success, we tend to talk about ideas, passion, roads not taken, the magic of teamwork, talent and what not, but there’s one skill set that we often undermine, a superpower that can outshine the rest – discipline. Pavitra Pradip Walvekar, the pioneering force behind Kudos Finance and Investments Private Limited, champions discipline as the unsung hero of success—an essential virtue that deserves greater emphasis.
Hardest days in an entrepreneurial journey aren’t a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”. And when they dawn upon you and things don’t go your way, it’s rarely the talent or passion that drives you to show up everyday. It’s discipline. Like Pavitra Pradip Walvekar shares a profound insight from his journey, “Your feelings draw you into the world of your passion, but they alone cannot sustain you there. What sustains us is discipline. There will be frustration, moments of doubt, and even regret, but you must remind yourself to keep going. Feelings are fleeting—discipline endures.”
Numerous research studies and behavioral analyses underscore the powerful link between discipline and success. The American Psychological Association reports that entrepreneurs with strong self-discipline are four times more likely to navigate setbacks
effectively and persist through challenges. Meanwhile, a Harvard Business School study reveals that entrepreneurs who establish structured daily goals are 2.5 times more likely to achieve success. These findings highlight a compelling truth—in the unpredictable
world of entrepreneurship, discipline is the force that tilts the odds in favor of lasting success.
And more so, these are not the findings of today, but discipline is the key ingredient that has been a significant part of success stories for a long time. Whether he’s the iconic entrepreneur, Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built the shipping and railroad empire, becoming one of America’s first tycoons or Steve Jobs – the pioneer of the personal computer era, from the early 21st century, the common trait adopted by many has been – discipline. Vanderbilt started working at the tender age of 11, but his long term strategy and discipline eventually carved a path for him to become a significant man in the transportation industry. Likewise, Steve Jobs’ disciplined leadership was instrumental to revive Apple, which was on the brink of bankruptcy and later rose to become a trillion dollar company. Even Henry Ford, back in the 1900s, followed strict discipline not only in processes but also in finances in his entrepreneurial journey which made Ford Motor Company survive economic downturns.
Having known that discipline is a gift that keeps on giving, the next question that arises is – How to practise it? Afterall, it’s not a cakewalk. If it was that easy, we all would do it. But just like any skill set that’s learnt, discipline is also a skill that one trains themselves for and it can be done in several ways.
First and foremost step to follow discipline is identifying distractions. If there’s one villain on the way to your success – it’s distractions – but they all vary for each one of us. For some, it might be social media, while for some, it might be gaming or parties. While all of
these things are significant, without the right balance, they can become challenging. Identify what distracts you and then switch them off.
Secondly, know the thin line between what’s important and what’s urgent. Your mailbox will always be spammed with all things urgent that need your immediate attention. But always ask yourself – is it important? Identify what’s crucial for your journey in the long
run and give more time to build them. All things urgent come up very frequently and distract you from following your disciplined routine, but remember what to prioritise.
Thirdly, don’t be too hard on yourself and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Everything takes time. Accept this fact and take small steps everyday instead of achieving your disciplined routine at once. Start small and build discipline gradually. James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, mentions how 1% of everyday improvement leads to a 37x increase in results over a year due to compound growth.
Lastly, write out your task lists. Writing is one important way of keeping discipline on track and keeping yourself accountable too. As per American productivity institute, entrepreneurs who plan their day in advance complete 90% of high-priority tasks, compared to only 60% completion rates for those without a written plan. And Harvard Business Review states that entrepreneurs who maintain a structured daily to-do list are 33% more productive than those who work without one.
Discipline might come across as something very boring, but mastery of anything comes from doing things over and over again. No matter how much you like doing something or not, discipline is the constant reminder to do it regardless to achieve your milestones. Pavitra Pradip Walvekar talks about one of the most inspiring Mike Tyson quotes, “Discipline is doing something you hate to do, but doing it like you love it.” So no matter what’s your excuse, show up, keep your feelings aside and own your thing.
Comments
No comment