Following procedures, following rules, following policies is not always easy. In fact, at times it is down-right difficult. Sometimes it even seems the procedures get in the way of getting the job done.
This is the short term, narrow viewpoint though.
The bigger picture is that the procedures, policies and rules are for the greater good of the entire group.
It takes intention to do things “the way they are supposed to be done”.
It takes discipline.
There is another one of those “bad” words… discipline.
We tend to want discipline on others, but not on ourselves. We want discipline on other people’s kids. We want discipline on the “bad guys”. We want discipline from our favorite sports team players. We want discipline from the surgery team performing the operation on us or our family member.
Discipline is not bad, it is good. We all need discipline. Sometimes we need to be disciplined by others.
Mostly, we need to BE DISCIPLINED by ourselves. The most successful people in any endeavor – career, hobby, family, school, spiritual are the most disciplined.
They hold themselves accountable. They push themselves to quality and quantity. They see the big picture. They understand there is something beyond themselves. They understand they are a part of the process and have to fulfil their obligations fully for the entire group to succeed.
Imagine you were going to make some cookies. From scratch I mean. Not from a mix or pre-made frozen dough.
If you were going to make cookies you would need a plan. This is called the recipe. The recipe is going to outline the procedure that needs to be followed to be successful at producing a quality cookie. Included in the procedure will be the processes that needs to be followed.
The processes would include the list of the necessary ingredients. If the process is broken and not all the necessary ingredients are used the outcome will not be consistently dependable. If additional ingredients are added, the cookie might turn out okay, but not consistently dependable. Most likely not a repeatable product.
Additional processes of the recipe would include what order to add the ingredients. There would be a process for how much of each ingredient to use. A process on how to mix the ingredients. A process for what size to make the cookie. A process for what temperature and how long to bake them. If any of these processes are not followed, the resulting product, the cookie, will not be as the creator of the recipe intended.
You know, it takes discipline to make cookies. If you eat the cookie dough you won’t end up with many cookies. If you forget to set the timer you might get hockey pucks. If you get distracted you might burn your cookies. When we can understand this same principle applies to what we do with our work, we will be able to produce a better, more consistent and dependable product. We will produce it more efficiently, with more ease and less stress.
Those who Pursue Great! follow the procedures and processes not only for your sake, but for your team mates too!