I was asked recently how I stayed motivated with everything going on in life, and I’m pretty sure my response was unexpected. I said that I’m honestly not very motivated at all, but I am disciplined.
This brought up the discussion of the difference in motivation and discipline, and the impact and importance of each one. As much as they may overlap, they differ greatly.
Motivation is the general desire or willingness to do something. It’s your thoughts, your energy, and your internal drive. Discipline, on the other hand, is the actions and self control that help people achieve their goals.
Think of motivation as the initial driver or starter, but discipline is what moves you down the road.
The most successful people whether in sports, career, or lifestyle don’t rely on motivation. They have found a way to be disciplined. The morning after every game, while other players would be resting, Michael Jordan would be training in the gym, to make sure he was constantly improving and on top of his game. This was down to his discipline, not his motivation.
Motivation without discipline is a common reason why most new years resolutions go unaccomplished. After about 7-10 days motivation dips, external factors creep in, and without discipline get put to the side.
I often tell people if I worked out every day I was fired up and motivated to, I would work out twice a month. Unfortunately, that cadence wont get me where I want to go or help bring my best self every day. Regardless, I always prioritize moving, hydrating, and eating well because it keeps me on track.
If you want to succeed at something don’t rely solely on motivation, as it can fade quickly. Motivation can shift with the wind, discipline roots itself and weathers the storm.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be motivated, but it’s just the initial small step to get you mentally started – the actions are what produce the results. Pair the two together correctly, and you have a match made in heaven.