Success Demands Discipline
Jo Rawald • January 10, 2025
Turning Goals & Resolutions Into Reality
The start of a new year is brimming with hope, excitement, and an endless stream of resolutions. We promise ourselves that this year will be different. We’ll finally launch that new project, grow our business, prioritize self-care, or spend more quality time with family. But as January progresses, how many of us start losing steam?
Here’s the truth: no matter what you do in life, your level of discipline will determine your level of success. And if you’ve set big goals for 2025, now’s the time to double down on discipline to turn those dreams into reality.
Why Discipline Trumps Motivation Every Time
Motivation is fleeting. It’s that rush of energy you feel at the beginning of a new goal, fueled by excitement and possibility. But motivation can’t carry you through the tough days—the ones when the tasks are tedious, when progress feels slow, or when distractions start piling up.
This is where discipline steps in. Discipline is the quiet, consistent force that keeps you moving forward, even when motivation fades.
It’s waking up early to tackle your priorities. It’s saying no to the things that don’t serve your goals. It’s choosing action over excuses.
When you rely solely on motivation, success becomes a game of chance. When you cultivate discipline, success becomes inevitable.
Building Your Discipline Muscle
Discipline isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, just like a muscle. And like any muscle, it strengthens with consistent use. Here are practical steps to develop discipline and achieve your 2025 goals:
1. Start With Your Why
Discipline becomes much easier when you’re crystal clear on why your goal matters. Is it financial freedom? Creating a legacy? Providing for your family? Whatever your why is, write it down and keep it visible. On the tough days, reconnecting with your deeper purpose can reignite your commitment.
2. Set Clear, Actionable Goals
Vague resolutions like “I want to grow my business” or “I want to get healthy” won’t cut it. Instead, set specific, measurable goals. For example, “I will increase my revenue by 20% this quarter” or “I will walk 10,000 steps every day for the next month.” Clear goals give your discipline direction.
3. Create Routines That Serve You
Discipline thrives in structure. Build routines that align with your goals. If you’re working on growing your business, block out dedicated time each day for sales calls, content creation, or networking. If health is your focus, schedule workouts like important meetings. Make the habits that support your goals non-negotiable.
4. Win the Morning
How you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Develop a morning routine that energizes and prepares you for success. This could include journaling, reviewing your goals, exercising, or tackling your most important task first.
5. Embrace Progress Over Perfection
Discipline doesn’t mean being perfect. It means showing up and doing the work, even when it’s messy or less than ideal. Celebrate small wins and focus on consistent progress. Perfectionism is the enemy of discipline, so let it go.
6. Eliminate Decision Fatigue
Simplify your environment to make disciplined choices easier. Meal prep for the week to avoid unhealthy eating. Set a consistent schedule so you don’t waste energy deciding what to do next. The fewer decisions you have to make, the more mental energy you can dedicate to staying disciplined.
7. Build a Support System
Discipline doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Surround yourself with people who inspire and hold you accountable. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or a group of like-minded business owners, having support makes it easier to stay on track.
The New Year’s Resolution Trap
Every January, millions of people set ambitious resolutions. By February, many have already given up. Why? Because resolutions without discipline are just wishes.
If you’ve set goals for 2025, make this the year you break the cycle. Commit to building the discipline needed to see them through. Remind yourself that discipline is not punishment—it’s freedom. It’s the freedom to create the life and business you dream of, one intentional step at a time.
Turning Discipline Into a Competitive Advantage
As a small-business owner, your level of discipline directly impacts your bottom line. It’s what separates the businesses that thrive from those that merely survive. When you consistently show up, focus on what matters, and do the work, you build momentum that leads to extraordinary results.
Here’s how discipline gives you a competitive edge:
- It Builds Trust - When clients see you consistently deliver high-quality work, they trust your brand.
- It Boosts Efficiency - Discipline helps you focus on high-impact tasks, reducing wasted time and resources.
- It Fuels Growth - By staying consistent with your marketing, networking, and client outreach, you create opportunities for long-term success.
Discipline Isn’t Just About Business
While discipline is a game-changer for your business, it’s just as important for your personal life. The same principles apply to building strong relationships, maintaining your health, and pursuing your passions.
For me, discipline has been the key to balancing my work with the things I love most—like traveling and hunting down the best tacos! It’s what allows me to run a thriving coaching business while making time for the people and experiences that fill my soul.
What’s Holding You Back?
If you’re struggling to stay disciplined, ask yourself:
- Are my goals clear and actionable?
- Do I have routines that support my success?
- Am I surrounding myself with people who encourage me?
Sometimes, the biggest barrier to discipline is trying to do it all alone. That’s where having a coach can make all the difference.
Let’s Make 2025 Your Year of Success
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, increase your profits, and truly live the American Dream of being a successful business owner, let’s connect.
I offer a free 20-minute discovery Zoom where we can chat about your goals and create a customized plan to help you thrive. Schedule your free discovery call today
and let’s get started. You have what it takes to achieve incredible success, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Discipline isn’t always glamorous, but it’s the secret sauce behind every great success story. It’s what turns resolutions into results, dreams into reality, and goals into growth.
So as we dive into 2025, commit to building your discipline muscle. Show up for yourself and your goals, even on the days when it feels hard. The payoff will be worth it—not just in your business, but in every area of your life.
Let’s make this the year you thrive boldly, unapologetically, and with unwavering discipline. You’ve got this!
Warm regards, Jo
I went to a networking event yesterday at Rosie’s Bar & Grill in Wilton Manors. Tropical-chic to the max. You know the kind of place - upscale casual, strong cocktails, mandatory valet. Now usually, I’m all about valet. But not yesterday. I wasn’t there to sip martinis or hang around all night. I could only stay for 20-minutes. That means - I was on a serious 20-minute mission: say hi, shake hands, peace out. Then, get back in my car to jump on a Zoom meeting! I certainly wasn’t about to drop $20 just to park my car for 20 minutes. No way! I pulled into the valet area, looked the guy dead in the eye, and said, “I’ll be in and out faster than your last relationship. Can I just park it right here?” And bless his heart - he said yes. Honestly, that should’ve been my win for the night. But then I met Sean Gac-Guerrier. Sean’s the Marketing Director at Excel Title, Inc. We started talking about dogs - and **cue the angels singing. We clicked instantly. Not two strangers meeting, more like two childhood friends who hadn’t seen each other in a decade! Sean showed me a photo of his dog, Dottie. I pulled out pics of my girl, Adelaide. Then he pulled out a photo of Dottie that stopped me in my tracks. Sean had a photo of what Dottie would look like as a human. Not a cartoon. Not a filter. I’m talking AI-generated, fully humanized, real-world, cardigan-wearing, intelligent-and-intimidating Dottie. I was mesmerized! It was as if Pixar and the FBI teamed up to design her. I looked at Adelaide’s pic… then looked back at Sean… and blurted out, “I need to humanize my dog!!” And I did. I went home, found the exact AI prompt, uploaded Adelaide’s photo, answered a few fun questions about her personality, and style - then… BOOM. Human Adelaide was born. Tall, lean, cozy-chic, with that unmistakable “don’t-mess-with-me-but-I’ll-still-hug-you” vibe. She looked like she ran Homeland Security and still had time for tacos and espresso martinis on a rooftop. Honestly? I stared at the image for like five minutes. Because it wasn’t just about making something cute. It was about seeing something familiar - something you know - come to life in a new way. Here’s the AI Prompt if you want to try it yourself:
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You didn’t start your business to burn out. You started it to break free.
If you’re ready to ditch the stress and build a business that actually pays you back, this is your moment.
Join me LIVE in South Florida at Brains, Brilliance & Bold Moves—where I’ll show you how to scale smart, simplify your systems, and make way more money doing less.
🍷 Dinner, wine, and your profit breakthrough: www.jorawald.com/Brains-Brilliance-and-Bold-Moves
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Read it. Apply it. Start making smart money moves →
👉 https://siteeditor.thryv.com/home/site/c8e9f361/blog/if-your-business-feels-like-a-hot-mess-its-costing-you-money#preview
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Let’s fix that.
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Read it, bookmark it, share it with your business BFFs →
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👉 www.jorawald.com/the-right-clients-should-be-coming-to-you-theyre-watching-but-do-they-know-what-you-do
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Inside, I break down:
🔥 The shift that simplified everything
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💡 What most coaches get totally wrong
If you’re a coach or service provider who’s doing the most and getting the least—read this NOW.
👉 www.jorawald.com/this-one-zoom-call-changed-how-i-coached-forever
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It’s time to change that.
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👉 www.jorawald.com/if-your-business-isnt-making-money-you-have-an-exhausting-hobby
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Don’t miss this one—it’s a mindset reset wrapped in fur.
👉 www.jorawald.com/the-lesson-i-didnt-expect-at-the-dog-park