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4 Business Principles MBA Students Learn

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An MBA learns many business standards and practices, like finance, accounting, marketing strategy, and operations, but MBA programs also teach business principles that are just as important. An ethical, responsible, and principled business succeeds and is essential to the community, and this doesn’t go unrecognized by business professors.

Every serious business publication, like Harvard Business Review, will discuss the need to conduct principled business. The highest profile failures and value destruction have always come from companies that fail to embrace strong principles and serve all of their stakeholders. Those company leaders might have had MBAs but obviously didn’t pay attention in class.

Here are some business principles you could expect to discuss in an MBA program.

Don’t Get Full of Yourself

The greatest business disasters and value destroyers have been committed by executives that loved the wealth and prestige and thought they could do no wrong. Not only do those companies often make tremendous mistakes, but thinking you’re doing everything often means many customers aren’t being served. The little, nimble, and humble players are happy to come in and snatch those customers up.

Most companies have a definitive lifespan. Of the original Dow Jones companies, only one exists (GE) and it is no longer listed on the Dow. All of the executives in GE under past CEO Jack Welch have gone on to destroy companies simply because they thought they were the best.

Create Value for All Stakeholders

In the 80s, Milton Friedman’s economic theories said that the only people corporations were responsible for were the shareholders, and it’s probably one of the worst theories in history for expanding company value.

MBA professors counter that theory with examples of companies that have valued employees and communities as much as they do their shareholders. They show students that the overall value created by stakeholder-conscious companies far outpaces those companies that only seek to reward shareholders. The most successful companies aren’t just financially successful but successful in fulfilling a social mission.

Lead With Integrity

Business leaders accomplish more and create more value for everyone when they lead by example, listen to the opinions of their employees, and inspire people. A leader needs to be willing to spend some time in the trenches learning what employees do and thanking them for their hard work. Such leaders inspire job satisfaction and increased understanding of the company, helping them better manage and lead.

In such classes, it is not uncommon to discuss leadership failures and watch discussions between leaders who hurt companies and those who made them great. Biographies and movies about leaders that inspired, lead with integrity, and got their hands dirty are common assignments in an MBA program.

Patience

Companies aren’t built or become great overnight; even the most innovative products must first be known in the marketplace. Patience keeps the company focused on long-term goals and adjusting as needed, which are essential for company success.

A patient leader also fosters long-term vision in their employees, setting everyone up for success. It’s not about how much money you make this quarter but the value the company creates over its lifetime.

Strong, patient leaders better understand customers, rebound from failures, and convey a true vision to investors.

An MBA is a primer for all business disciplines that create effective generalists and a program that instills business ethics and principles. Business professors have watched the mistakes of businesses of the past and know that instilling values makes the greatest success stories. No MBA class will ever praise the CEO that made millions from practices lacking in integrity.

Key Considerations About Cloud-based Backup Services

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For businesses in particular, a cloud-based backup service can be a godsend. Rather than procuring, installing and maintaining physical hardware on-site, you can now backup all of your critical business data to a secure third-party at a fraction of the cost it normally takes.

Still, the cloud is not a silver bullet and in order to get the most out of your spend (and stay protected), there are a few key things to keep in mind. 

The Heartbleed Bug: Breaking Things Down

One of the most important things to understand about cloud-based backup services has to do with the types of vulnerabilities that your data could be exposed to. While cloud-based systems are highly secure by their very nature, they are not impervious. Case in point: the Heartbleed Bug.

The Heartbleed Bug is a vulnerability that impacts the OpenSSL cryptographic software library. This is what is used to create the SSL/TLS encryption which is what many cloud-based backup systems use for protection, along with many websites. If exploited, that protected data can then be stolen.

Essentially, Heartbleed works by allowing anybody with the right tools to read the memory of devices that are still using out-of-date versions of OpenSSL. Information that appears to be encrypted is actually available to those with malicious intentions, creating a dangerous situation for businesses in particular.

To make sure that yours is an organization that won’t fall victim to Heartbleed, make sure that your cloud-based backup provider is using the most recent version of OpenSSL. It’s very likely that they are, but it never hurts to verify.

Likewise, make sure that all backups on the cloud are encrypted as well. That way, even if they are intercepted, a hacker still won’t be able to access the information inside. 

Practical Advice for Making the Most Out of Your Cloud Deployment

Beyond cybersecurity measures, there are a number of other practical steps that you can take to help make sure you’re getting the highest possible return on investment for your cloud-based backup solution.

In terms of performance efficiency, make sure that you or your colleagues are regularly looking at your utilization levels for things like compute, storage and more. Because you’re talking about the cloud, if you need to add additional storage (for example) it truly is as simple as picking up the phone and making a call to your provider. But before a lack of storage causes an unfortunate disruption, you need to know prior to getting to that point.

With regard to cost optimization, regularly review whether or not you are paying only for what you need – something that is one of the benefits of the cloud in the first place. Have you over-estimated what you’ll need in terms of resources or under-estimated due to seasonal fluctuations? These reviews are important to help achieve the highest possible ROI.

 By following best practices like these, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the benefits of a cloud-based backup service with as few of the potential downsides as possible. 

5 Surprising Facts About Your Trash

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Trash. It’s usually not something to which we give much thought. We create it, throw it out, have it picked up by that noisy truck far too early in the morning, and it goes to some magical place where it will stay. Well, much of it doesn’t actually stay there, and we will get into that shortly.

Your trash combines with everyone else’s to create one big trash mountain. It’s like a trash stew that tremendously impacts our lives and the world. So here are some interesting facts about your trash and what happens when combined with everyone else’s trash.

You Generate a Lot of Trash

Yes, you do, I do, we all do. Americans generate about 4.4 lbs of trash daily, almost twice as much as the global average of 2.6 lbs per day. As 4% of the world’s population, we generate 12% of the total trash produced.

On top of the 4.4 lbs of trash, the EPA says we recycle and compost another 1.5 lbs daily.

Some studies indicate that those numbers might actually be very low.

Some fundamental lifestyle changes, like reusable shopping bags or buying reduced packaging items, can greatly reduce how much we throw away.

Your Trash Travels Much Further Than You Think

Not every city buries its trash nearby. MIT researchers tracked 3000 pieces of Seattle trash in 2009 and found out it ended up all over the country. The garbage from New York City is shipped out of state to states like New Jersey, Ohio, and other areas. In Kentucky, one dump was 80 to 90 percent waste from other states.

Tell that half of a stale Twinkie in your trash to enjoy its voyage, see some sites, get some sun, and maybe send a postcard.

Lose Something in Your Trash? You Might Be Able to Get It Back

Well, unless you are that guy in England with a hard drive somewhere in the local landfill with $250,000,000 in Bitcoin on it. Some cities allow you to report a lost item after you’ve accidentally thrown it out.

Items of significant value can be reported within several hours in some cities like Albuquerque so that there is a chance to get them back. If it is your extensive collection of giant lint balls that got thrown out, don’t plan on it having significant value.

Dogs Really Like Peeing On It

Yes, dogs see a trash bag on the sidewalk as the preferred place to take a bathroom break. It’s a new feature of the landscape and, therefore, fascinating. Also, there are certainly some exciting smells in there, so your trash bag may as well be the world’s tallest broadcast tower for dogs.

Some of Your Trash Might End Up in the World’s Oceans

An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic reach the world’s oceans yearly, which equals five grocery bags filled with plastic for every foot of the earth’s shoreline. Unfortunately, it is becoming an ecological disaster, and your reduced use of plastics or demanding recycled plastics does make a difference.

There’s much more to trash than remembering when it’s trash day. Every bag or bin we haul out signifies our usage of the world’s resources and our commitment to the environment. Our trash represents a lot to humans, not just our dogs.

5 Most Uplifting Movies that Belong in Your Watch List

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There are films that touch the hearts of broad audiences in an almost universal fashion. The following may very well be the 5 most uplifting movies, bar none. Let’s see if you agree.

1: Forrest Gump

The 1994 romance drama starring Tom Hanks, Sally Fields, Robin Wright, Mykelti Williamson, and Gary Sinise was a box office smash that earned six Academy Awards. Hanks proves convincing in his role as a low-IQ young man who inspires people he meets during his journey.

Bullied for what some see as shortcomings during his youth, Forrest Gump becomes a college football All-American, Vietnam War hero, and millionaire while doing the right thing. Forrest Gump, the man and the movie, teaches us that love, kindness, and the patience he demonstrates as a loving father are more valuable than wealth or status. Life may be like a box of chocolates — as Forest famously says — but this film delivers heart-felt emotions with certainty.

2: Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck team up to create a touching 1997 film that doesn’t shy away from the emotional turmoil broken children carry into adulthood. Damon stars as Will Hunting, a brilliant young man shackled by the horrific abuse he suffered and must overcome.

Clinging to his lifelong South Boston friends and jailed after striking a cop, his genius is discovered by a Harvard mathematics professor. A deal is brokered that he’ll undergo counseling sessions with Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), also from Southie. Together the pair help heal each other’s wounds and garner the courage to take a chance on life and love. Or, as Damon and Williams say in the Academy Award-winning film, “I gotta go see about a girl.” To some degree, we all suffer trauma that holds us back. Good Will Hunting empowers us to try again.

3: Hidden Figures

The glass ceiling women face in wide-reaching industries was not see-through when three Black women mathematicians were needed for America to win the space race. It was a brick wall. That’s largely why the 2017 feature film is based on the non-fiction Margot Lee Shetterly book by the same name.

Starring Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, audiences get a glimpse of the discrimination experienced by African-Americans. Katherine Johnson has to answer for her long “breaks,” which require her to walk a half-mile to the nearest “colored” restroom. Racial and gender barriers are challenged in Hidden Figures. But what proves uplifting is the way three women earn the respect they deserve from the world’s most prestigious space exploration organization in the world — NASA.

4: Remember the Titans

Based on a true story, Denzel Washington stars as high school football coach Herman Boone who is trying to integrate a team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Although “whites only” schools and sports have been abolished, the practice festers across the region. A reluctant coach Boone is drawn into the controversial job because community members need racial obstacles to come down.

White and black players clash, referees try to punish the integrated team, and some in the community do not desire change. But leaders emerge among the high school athletes, and the Titans become a powerful force on the field because of their commitment to each other. Sports movies often drive an inspirational message. Remember the Titans offers hope that future generations can do better.

5: Sandlot

This 1993 coming-of-age movie places socially awkward fifth-grade Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry) in centerfield. As the new kid in town, his mom (Karen Allen) encourages him to take a break from academics and have some boyhood fun. “Run around, scrape your knees, get dirty. Climb trees, hop fences. Get into trouble, for crying out loud. Not too much, but some,” she exclaims.

Smalls joins a group of boys fully committed to the game of baseball as the adventures and antics mount. Sleep outs in a wooden fort, an encounter with a giant dog called “The Beast,” and the retrieval of a baseball signed by Babe Ruth keep you smiling. Sandlot doesn’t just make you reflect on fond memories. It makes parents want them for their own children.

5 Greatest TV Betrayals

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A well-orchestrated and shocking betrayal can make a television series memorable and can also create a buzz among its viewers. The following are five such shocking betrayals that had viewers talking and analyzing these shows for days, weeks, and sometimes even years. 

Oh, and just so you don’t think we’re betraying you, we want to warn you that there are many spoilers about to be exposed here. 

Game of Thrones — Daenerys and Jon

In a series riddled with betrayals, it can be very difficult to narrow it down to the worst. But surely the show’s biggest betrayal came when Jon Snow stabbed his lover and aunt Daenerys Targaryen while the two were sharing a passionate kiss. Sadly, Daenerys left the honorable Jon Snow little choice. It was obvious to everyone — especially Jon — that Daenerys had gone off the deep end and that if he didn’t stop her, she would murder thousands of people. 

Sopranos — Tony and Christopher

Christopher was one of Tony’s most trusted soldiers, his potential successor, and also his “nephew.” But Christopher’s drug issues and other factors eventually caused their relationship to become very strained. It was still a shocker, though, when Tony murdered his nephew after a wasted Christopher crashes their car, almost killing them both. The accident coupled with the fact that Tony had big concerns about Christopher turning State’s witness against him were the final straws for the mob boss. Taking advantage of the fact that his nephew was severely injured in the accident, Tony reaches over and pinches Christopher’s nostrils shut until he dies. 

Breaking Bad — Walter and Jesse

Walter and Jesse betrayed each other countless times during Breaking Bad’s five seasons but, arguably, the worst instance was when Walter allowed a neo-Nazi gang to kidnap Jesse. The neo-Nazis then kept Jesse imprisoned in a cage and used him as their slave to cook up Walt’s infamous blue meth to sell. Walt does semi-redeem himself by the end of the series by rescuing Jesse. 

Succession — The Roy Children Versus Their Parents

Loosely based on the Murdoch dynasty, Succession has had more than its fair share of shocking betrayals. But the one that ended season three was a doozy even by this show’s standards. After years of being mentally abused by their father, Logan Roy, three of the Roy children — Kendall, Roman, and Shiv — finally decide to team up together to stop their father from selling their company. But to their dismay, the Roy children soon discover that they have been betrayed by two people who should have been on their side — Shiv’s husband, Tom, and their own mother, Caroline. Tipped off by Tom, Logan was able to convince Caroline to sign over their children’s share in the company to him, which ended Roman’s, Shiv’s, and Kendall’s dreams of taking over the family business. 

Sex and the City — Carrie and Aidan

For many fans, Aidan seemed like the perfect boyfriend for Carrie — kind, loving, sweet, and handsome. And to top it all off, he was ready to commit and even marry her. So, what did Carrie do? She cheats on Aidan with Mr. Big, her ex. Fans of the show were outraged that Carrie had chosen to break Aidan’s heart with the man who had broken her heart. 

 

5 Weirdest Tech Startups That Actually Succeeded

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We’ve all been there. You see an idea for this new technology. And you think, there’s no way that can take off. 

Then it does. And in some cases, it changes our whole existence.

Some of the weirdest tech startups that succeeded in this list may not reach that level. But you probably never would have guessed it would be the new big thing when you first saw it.

1. Uber

Let’s lead with a big one. Today, Uber is integral to our lives. It’s hard to believe it was a bizarre idea when it first started.

Taxis and trains already saturated the market. Why would someone pay more to uber?

As it turns out, the founders were onto something. Their customers like the convenience of apps. They want to see their drivers and their ratings before the vehicle arrives.

It’s nice to get where you’re going faster. And people like options when they want to treat themselves to an UberSUV, UberBlack, or UberX. They want to feel special and convey a certain image.

You just don’t get that with the “normal” transportation methods that came before. So yes, Uber may seem normal now, but it was certainly weird. 

2. Dog Parker {aka, Dog Spot}

Ever been walking your dog, when you needed to leave them outside a store for a few minutes while you run in? If you’re one of this crowd, you may feel guilty or worried about leaving your best furry friend tied up outside — even for a short time. 

Dog Parker is a smart dog house that businesses can set up outside their store to keep their patron’s pups climate-controlled, comfortable, and video-monitored until the pet parent returns. 

3. Celestis, Inc

Now that your dog is taken care of, it may be time to think about your dearly departed. This weird tech startup launches their remains into space. For those who’ve always dreamed of living off-world, this makes that dream come true — at least in some part.

And it costs much less than the typical funeral. 

4. Invisible Girlfriend

This one’s for those individuals who are bombarded with questions from family or co-workers about why they’re not seeing someone. Your reasons are your own. You do you.

But Invisible Girlfriend (or Boyfriend) offers the answer. This weird tech startup allows you to sign up to receive texts, voicemails, and even gifts from someone you’re supposedly dating. 

5. Spud Pickles

Don’t let the name fool you. This tech startup is all about its business. And their business is ghost-hunting. Spud pickles is an app development company that has found its niche audience. They build apps that can detect paranormal activity. 

The company has to say “it’s for entertainment purposes only” for legal reasons. But the reviews are filled with creepy stories from real people who use it to contact lost loved ones and find strange entities in their homes, offices, and neighborhoods. 

 

 

The Insider’s Guide: 5 Ways to Get to Know the Real Indonesia

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Indonesia is one of the most diverse archipelagos in the world. With close to 280 million people representing over 1300 official ethnic groups and thousands of more unique cultures, it is impossible to really ever get to know Indonesia. But you can certainly understand this incredible country better than most tourists if you are willing to devote a little time and have an open mind. 

Number 5: Learn a Little of the Official Language

The official language of Indonesia is called Bahasa Indonesia, or the Indonesian language. Almost everyone speaks it in the country. Ranked as one of the world’s easiest languages for an English speaker to learn, devoting 10 or 20 hours of study before you arrive in the country will significantly increase your enjoyment and allow you to get to know the people and the country better. 

Number 4: Get Off of the Tourist Trail

It is easy to spend a wonderful time in Indonesia ensconced in the tourist bubble. Whether it’s relaxing at a beach resort in Lombok, touring the Hindu temples of Bali, or even exploring the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. To experience the real Indonesia, you need to head to the less-visited places. The islands of Samosir, Banda, and Flores all have their particular allures. 

Number 3: Master Local Transportation

No matter where you go in Indonesia, you’ll find there are almost endless ways to travel. From air-conditioned tour buses to car rentals, you can travel in luxury, but sometimes the most exciting way to go from Point A to Point B is the way locals do it. Angkots are one of the most popular ways to get around. No bigger than a minivan, these vehicles run a set loop, and passengers can jump on and off wherever they like along the route. Angkots are shared, and you’ll get charged by the driver based on the approximate distance, so always ask the driver before getting in.  

Number 2: Eat on the Street

Eating is one of the best ways to spend your time in Indonesia. And some of the most incredible food in the country is cooked by the countless tiny street stalls called warungs. While the sanitation may not be on par with a Western restaurant, it is probably better than a food cart in a Western city. Warungs sell food for the working man and woman, so it’s cheap, filling, delicious, and the closest you’ll get to authentic Indonesian home cooking unless a local invites you home. 

Number 1: Talk to the Locals

Across the country, Indonesians are polite and friendly. However, once you get outside the main tourist areas, Indonesians are maybe the most generous and helpful people you could ever meet. So, don’t be afraid to smile and say “Hi.” You’ll learn more about the real Indonesia in a 10-minute conversation over tea than in touring a so-called cultural site for the entire day. As a bonus, most younger Indonesians speak at least some English and love to practice speaking. 

So once you step off the plane at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, step out of your comfort zone just a little, and you will have the time of your life getting to know the real Indonesia. 

5 Surprising Facts About The Lives of K-Pop Stars

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After years of hard work and training, you finally make it to the level of being a K-Pop star. How do you live? To the public, it all looks fantastic. However, as a performer, it is shocking how much freedom you lose.

  1. Career Enslavement

Unlike music careers in the United States, where the artist has a lot of influence over creative and business decisions, a K-Pop star has very little power over their career. Everything they do for their profession must be approved and controlled by the entertainment company they work for, which owns all the intellectual property (IP). The IP includes song copyrights, the band’s name, the photos, videos, and even the singer’s nicknames.

K-Pop singers who want to express their creativity in other areas, like taking a role in an international movie, get frustrated by the difficulty of obtaining permission. Even if the most famous directors in the world, like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, want to use a K-Pop star in a film, they have to pay a talent fee to the South Korean entertainment company to hire a K-Pop star.

The South Korean entertainment company may refuse permission, and there is nothing the K-Pop star can do about it. If they violate the terms of their contract, they get fired.

K-pop stars who get older must perform the same hit songs they sang when younger. Many get tired of this and want to quit but do not have any choice but to continue working, since no one will hire them to break their contract.

  1. No Personal Life Allowed

While a K-Pop star is in training and during the first years of their debut with a successful group, they cannot date anyone. Any hint of a scandal, and they will lose their K-Pop star status.

  1. Weigh-Ins and Drug Testing

Like a prizefighter who must always be a certain weight, a K-Pop star must meet the physical characteristics of maintaining a very skinny weight. They must constantly work out in the gym, get medical checkups, pass drug testing, and weigh in to ensure they do not gain weight. This intense control is for both sexes. Test positive for marijuana or other recreational drugs, and you get fired from the K-Pop group.

  1. Constant Work with No Time Off

The musicians in a K-Pop band must work constantly. They practice, rehearse, record music, go on promotional tours, make television appearances, perform, and make music videos. The intensity of their work life drives most of them to exhaustion.

  1. No Politics, No Religion, No Profit-Sharing

K-Pop idols are supposed to be cute, sing, dance, and follow the intense rules of the entertainment company that holds their contract. Any extracurricular activities, such as political action, are prohibited.

As a K-Pop idol, you cannot express any religious beliefs that might offend your fans.

The musicians in a K-Pop group get a salary from the entertainment company. They do not share in the immense profits that the entertainment company might make.

Is it worth it?

Knowing these restrictions might give you pause if you want to become a K-Pop star. While it is fun to be adored by millions of fans, it is also annoying to be unable to go anywhere without being recognized and have such severe restrictions placed on your life.

5 Hacks to Finding Hidden Gems When Travelling

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Travel is a favorite activity for many. But experienced explorers may be a bit tired of seeing the same old well-known tourist attractions. Luckily, there are incredible hidden gems waiting to be uncovered by travelers in just about every destination. Read on to learn the secrets to finding them!

1. Research

A little bit of research can go a long way toward uncovering some of the lesser-known but still amazing attractions during your trip. Even a simple internet search for “things to do in ____” (filling in the blank with your destination) can unearth a surprising amount of choices. You can opt for mainstream sites like TripAdvisor, which offer the benefit of the wisdom of crowds in sifting out bad options. But for real hidden gems, you may want to consult more off-beat choices like Atlas Obscura, which offers weird, wild, and otherwise strange spots from major cities to small towns. Another way to find some hidden gems is to get lost – deliberately! Using the Dérive app, you’ll play what’s essentially an exploring game, where you follow simple tasks that may help you see even familiar cities in an entirely different light. Other great ideas include reading local bloggers or local news to see what the residents are talking about and focused on – it could unlock parts of a place you’d never expected! 

2. Consult Your Maps

Sometimes, the easiest way to find hidden gems is to just go looking for them! A close inspection of a map of your destination (either via services like Google Maps or a physical paper copy) can reveal otherwise unknown towns, green spaces, attractions, and more. You might uncover a potential scenic route or day trip that would have gone unnoticed. 

3. Get Off the Highway 

Interstates and other big highways are great for getting where you’re going as quickly as possible. But this fast pace and limited-access travel can keep you from discovering many amazing sights. Taking local roads will extend your travel time but also put you face to face with diverse communities at a pace that allows you to stop and explore. Who knows what you might discover in exchange for a few extra minutes in the car?

4. Walk

The same principle applies once you’ve arrived in a particular destination. Walking puts you intimately in touch with the community and slows you down enough to observe little things you might otherwise miss. You may find yourself poking your head into museums, shops, restaurants, or other spots you’d have either skipped or ignored altogether. Plus, it’s great exercise!

5. Talk to the Locals

Who knows a place better than the folks who live there? This can be employees at your hotel, tourism workers at a visitor center, bartenders, or anyone else you come in contact with during your visit. Most people are proud of their home town, and simply asking them about the best things to see and do can often produce a detailed and enthusiastic response. This can be an excellent way to find out which much-hyped spots may just be overrated tourist traps and which under-the-radar options shouldn’t be missed. 

Find Those Hidden Gems Waiting For You On Your Next Trip

Don’t waste your time on your next trip seeing the same old spots everyone else does. Find the hidden gems that will make unforgettable memories for you and your traveling companions. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll have no trouble, no matter where you roam. 

5 Ways To Help Yourself Develop Discipline

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Self-discipline doesn’t come naturally for most. It is a learned skill set, like typing, good grammar, and cooking. The more you practice it, the better you get at it. What are some things you can do to build your self-discipline? 

What is Self-Discipline? 

Self-discipline is the capacity to control your behaviors, feelings, and emotions. For example, sticking to your weekly budget allows you to spend less and save more. It takes self-discipline not to eat fast food every day, though. You’ll stay motivated and be more likely to succeed if you learn how to perfect the art of self-discipline.

Five Ways to Help Yourself Develop Self-Discipline

Like any skill set, self-discipline takes practice, so where do you start?

1. Count First, Then Decide

Often, gaining self-discipline means learning to control your impulses. Impulse, by definition, is a knee-jerk reaction or something you do without thinking. The best way to control that is to stop and give yourself time to think. Next time you are jumping into something, stop and count to ten. Then, take a deep breath and think about what you are about to do. If you still decide to do it, so be it. More often than not, though, you’ll talk yourself out of it. 

2. Put Your Goals Front and Center

Write down the goal you are hoping to achieve by controlling your behavior and keep it with you. Then, when you stop and count, pull that note out of your pocket. This will remind you why you need to take a beat and consider what you are going to do next. 

If you don’t have a specific goal, write an inspirational quote instead. This will help keep you in check. 

3. Write Down a Priority-Based To-Do List

If you write down a schedule for yourself, you can use it as a guide to keeping you on the right track. For example, if your goal is to hit the gym after work, then put that on your daily schedule. Set the alarm on your watch as a reminder that it’s time to go to the gym. You are less likely to procrastinate if you have a set to-do list. 

4. Get to Know Your Lack of Discipline Well

What is it that you do that gets you off track? The more you understand your distractions and weaknesses, the better you will be at creating actionable solutions. Maybe you enjoy going out to eat with friends. What could you do to satisfy that need without losing sight of your goals? How about you get together at each other’s house once a week and do a potluck. 

5. Find Ways to Hold Yourself Accountable

You could tell a friend or loved one what you are trying to accomplish and let them hold you accountable if you fail. You could also keep a measure of some kind. For example, if you want to exercise 150 minutes a week, keep track of your progress and make sure you hit that goal. 

Finding ways around your impulses will help you build up your self-discipline skills and apply them throughout your life.