"There is a certain combination of desire and discipline in the way I work. Discipline by itself simply is not enough in the creative process." - Robert De Niro

Many of us think of discipline as a highly positive characteristic. When we fail to keep our resolve to take the actions that lead to success, we point to our lack of discipline with regret and disappointment.

Human beings really like the focus and structure of imposing discipline on themselves to achieve specific outcomes. But discipline implies that you have to push through something unpleasant to achieve the outcome you are after. Pain, suffering and struggle seem to be present when we invoke discipline. Most of all it takes mental self-control to be disciplined.

Desire is also a powerful force. When you are clear about what you desire and what the payoff is for accomplishing it, then you will be drawn to it and will take the required actions without the pain involved in discipline. With desire you experience the outcome even before you achieve the result. Desire is stronger than wishing or wanting. It is the ingredient that kick-starts discipline.

This week take at least one resolution you made for the New Year and clarify what it is you really desire by making that resolution. Imagine the joy of having that desire fulfilled and focus on that. The discipline to keep that resolution will fall naturally into place without effort.

Ruth Zanes

Ruth Zanes has been a Business, Career and Personal Success Coach since 1985. Her broad range of experience prior to coaching includes consultant, business ownership and corporate executive for some of the world?s largest corporations.

Founder and lead coach of Unlimited Resources, Ruth says ?the company is the natural culmination of my corporate career, business experience and my study and training in transformational technologies and human development.? Ruth is currently engaged in one-on-one individual, career and business coaching, group coaching, and leads workshops and seminars related to such topics as team building, leadership, personal growth, negotiation, etc. She is also a speaker at conferences and meetings on these same topics.

Business Owner Prior to Unlimited Resources, Ruth headed Strategic Resources, Inc. a multi-million dollar marketing consulting and marketing research company located in the New York Metro area for over 15 years. The company served corporations in many diverse industries with a distinguished client list that includes Fortune 500 companies such as, AT&T, American Express, Bristol-Myers, Citibank, Clairol, Coca Cola, GE and many others.

Corporate Executive A corporate executive with several Fortune 100 companies before she became a business owner, Ruth?s corporate career included executive marketing positions with companies such as: Avon Products, one of the world's largest cosmetics companies, Chesebrough-Pond's (now a division of Unilever), Clairol division of Bristol Myers, Grey Advertising and Foote, Cone & Belding advertising agencies.

Education Ruth is a graduate of Coach University and is on the faculty for this university. She has a B.A degree from Brooklyn College and did her graduate work in psychology and statistics at the New School for Social Research. She has spent more than 15 years of intensive study with CEU accredited transformational programs such as Landmark Education and has led a variety of seminars and workshops for these organizations.

Other Accomplisments The author for trade and professional publications, Ruth taught undergraduate courses in marketing at Jersey City State College and has served on the boards for professional and community organizations. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women, is an Executive Member of the American Marketing Association, a member of the International Coach Federation and Coachville and serves on the board of the Georgia Coaches.