Standing at the window of my dorm room at Harvard Business School OPM, I was looking at the cold landscape after a 4″ snow. It was 28 degrees outside and there was a slight March wind. From inside, it was beautiful. As I looked out at the Charles River, my attention was drawn to two boats of Harvard students practicing their rowing. I was impressed by their discipline. Even with freezing temperatures, wind, and snow, these crew team members continued in their daily routine. That is true discipline, maintained even in challenging conditions.
Can we, too, hold to a disciplined routine? Can we enter invoices into our accounting system on a timely basis? Can we produce a P&L on the 15th of every month for the previous month? Can we practice good business disciplines in a pleasant environment? These Harvard athletes practice their rowing at 28 degrees—that is discipline and passion!