Visual Nudge: The Power of Discipline – How Tiny Efforts Create Massive Results

Some conversations leave a lasting impact on you. During one of many such conversations with Rajesh Setty, he shared this quote from Jim Rohn,

“For every disciplined effort, there is multiple reward.” – Jim Rohn

I am not sure I understood it completely then, because life sometimes delivers an insight before you can experience it. The quote stayed in my subconscious.

Every time I start learning anything new, I tried to remain consistent at it. I created my first sketchnote in April 2015. It was a first rough sketch of a possibility. I shared it online and exactly one person appreciated it.

That appreciation was enough of a fuel to do the next one, and the next one. Each time I created a visual note, I tried making it better than the previous. It created a virtuous cycle of creating, sharing, and finding encouragement to keep creating. I also focused on creating sketchnotes on leadership, learning, and change.

Now since I had a thriving corporate career while I did this on the side, I had zero expectations from my sketchnote project. It was purely a labor of love.

In 2017, I found my first client who wanted me to visualize summaries of keynotes in an HR conference in the US. In 2018, I illustrated first book with Tiffani Bova which became a WSJ bestseller. Before I knoew, I was on a journey. This was a sidegig that gave me connections, opportunities, exposure and most importantly, the joy of creating something deeply meaningful.

Just last week, the quote that Rajesh Setty had shared almost 15 years ago, came to the fore. As I reflected, I realized how disciplined creation led to so many beautiful and rewarding outcomes, including the business I am currently running.

These rewards did not come as a linear return. They came as multipliers.. small ripples that created big waves.

My reflection ended with a deep realization: While we keep chasing big wins, big ideas, and big changes, being disciplined in small things enables these breakthroughs. Eventually, if not immediately.

It doesn’t matter if you are trying to pick a new skill, or get fit. Discipline is the secret sauce. Do it long enough and it becomes a part of who you are. Then rewards compound. Every seed of talent, when watered with consistent input grows to bear multiple fruits.

Jim Rohn definitely got it right.