Which is stronger – discipline or motivation?
Let’s start with an example that we all know far too well. It is January 1st, and you just spent the previous week looking back at the last year, and looking forward to the next year to come. You are really motivated because you have a “clean slate” now and a brand new year. You have created several “resolutions” that you tell yourself you will commit to, well, because it is the new year! What better time than on January 1st.
But, as we all know this “motivation” only lasts so long. Actually, 90% of new years resolutions are cut short in the first 3 months of the year.
Now that we are midway through the year, how is that resolution going for you?
Motivation alone is fleeting. We all know that feeling. You are motivated to get in shape, stop smoking, start a new diet – but that motivation is only going to last so long.
But when you tie motivation with discipline – specific actions you take every day that draw you 1% closer to a specific goal – this is when you can become unstoppable.
Why Daily Discipline works
Waking up at 4:30am.
Having your workout clothes and shoes ready at your bedside the night before.
Making a lunch to take to work the night before.
Having coffee brewed.
Making your “to-do” list the night before.
These are all examples of daily discipline. I have yet to meet a person that goes to sleep early enough to get a great nights rest only to wake up at 4:30am and not be successful. Having those extra 1-2 hours of silence to be able to direct your day could be the most valuable time in your day.
I’m not saying you have to wake up at 4:30am every morning – I am saying that if you do, this form of discipline will show up positively in other areas of your life.
Think to yourself – What are the top one to three actions you can discipline yourself to do that will help you towards a goal in life?
Discipline = Action
Want to lose weight? Having the discipline to plan meals and snacks during the week and prepping them ahead of time will help you start to “run downhill.”
Want to start writing? Having the discipline to start a timer at the same time every morning and to have a tab on your computer already preset and open will make it very hard to not get started.
Having discipline means that whatever actions you take, the discipline you have set up in your life will make it very hard to NOT do the thing you have chosen to do.
You know what gets in the way of discipline – Too many choices, and inaction.
Stop giving yourself so many choices and choose to start TODAY!
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