Discipline Vs Motivation 🤔
Hey hey everyone coming across, I hope you're doing well! 💛
I have been considering to write something on this for a while now, something that resonates with all of us I feel, whether we’re pursuing personal goals, professional ambitions, or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Talking about the ultimate "battlefield" question lol! (And no it is *not* "beaches OR mountains?"😛)
Discipline VS. Motivation
The two superrr essential components for achieving success in any aspect of life!
We’ve all experienced the electrifying excitement that comes with starting a new project or goal; could be as big as starting a new online course to staring to do skincare regularly, fueled by many many bursts of motivation. It feels invigorating, to say the least, trying something, implementing/ incorporating something in your life!
However, as time goes on, that initial spark often fizzles out, starts to slow down and eventually, in some cases, goes out completely. (Till another random burst of motivation arrives hehe universe knows when?!!)
Have you ever thought to yourself "I don't have the motivation today." about doing a task Or found yourself looking up internet articles about "How to stay motivated?", even in general, in life, mhm? 😮
I certainly have these moments. The former, to be more specific. xD
Motivation can be fleeting, influenced by factors such as our emotions and circumstances. Often times, these factors aren't within our control. It can come and go like the wind.
In contrast, what remains steadfast is discipline, I think.
Summarising a random ish definition of the word from the internet lol- Discipline is the ability to consistently follow a set of rules or routines, even when faced with distractions or obstacles.
It requires self-control, commitment, and a strong work ethic.
While motivation may provide the initial drive to pursue a goal, discipline is what ultimately leads to success or attaining some goal.
As the saying goes, “Motivation wears off, but discipline and consistency stay.”
This statement holds profound truth. Discipline is the consistent effort and dedication to continue working towards a goal, even in the absence of motivation. In all honesty, I feel, *specially* in the absence of motivation!
A disciplined person who wakes up at a set time will do so consistently, even if they stayed up late or were busy.
In contrast, someone who is only motivated by a New Year’s resolution might wake up early for a few days of their January month but will likely stop once their motivation fades. (I actually think most of us have been there lol)
For example, someone who walks to work every day has already adjusted their morning routine to fit this habit. On the other hand, a person who decides to start walking just because it sounds good may struggle to keep it up, especially if they have to wake up earlier or manage household chores first.
A student who has a disciplined study schedule will stick to it, even when they don’t feel like studying. But someone who only studies when they feel motivated because of exams or another external factor may only do so for a short time before falling back into old habits, or losing sight of their studying!
My most favorite example to share for this is- A person who routinely exercises at the gym every week will keep going, regardless of their mood. In contrast, someone who decides to start working out because they feel inspired one day may quit after a week when the initial excitement wears off. (Lol because that has been me for sometime now smh xD)
Etc. Etc. These are only a couple of common examples, but, how the smallest habits shape one's entire lifestyle, and how staying consistent at it, no matter how motivated or not one feels, is truly impactful in almost every aspect of our life.
Oh and yes, have to mention that, for everyone who is now habitual of something, or disciplined at something, was once one of the "latter" people too, who had one of these random motivation bursts too.
The only difference is that, they stayed focused, stayed persistent, stayed disciplined and didn't rely on just some motivational boost to do something.
They did it because they knew they do not allow themself the "choice" to say yes or no, for doing what they had to, anyway!
A great quote reminded by @CyclingThroughLife ~ "You will never always be motivated so you must learn to be disciplined."
Touching base with some other important aspects!
Consistency is the backbone of success, of literally anything!
It’s about the daily commitment to show up, even when you don’t feel like it. Perseverance means pushing through challenges and setbacks, staying committed to our goals despite the challenges we face. Together, consistency and discipline create a powerful synergy that can lead to extraordinary results over time.
It always feels difficult when we start, specially at the start; the motivational boosts are important too but complete reliance on just that might not always be fruitful in attaining our timely goals.
My key "hack" behind the same is to repeat my "whys" to self. Our "whys" should always be stronger and more powerful, so that the "how to do" feels only natural to inquire and experiment about.
While motivation can be helpful in getting started, discipline is what keeps you going~ together, they can be even more powerful, I believe! 😮
Remember, it’s okay to stumble and struggle with things despite trying your best at it. Makes us hooman, yes? 💛
What matters most is getting back on track and not being too hard on yourself. Self-compassion remains the key, always!
Honestly, I struggle with these too. With not feeling as motivated always, sometimes lacking consistency, sometimes fiddling with discipline too but, after learning more about the power of habits (major credit for this to this book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, it contains practical insight and tips into habit building) and importance of building discipline instead of chasing motivation, I can feel a lot of growth and improvement, and it "motivated" (hehe) me to share my thoughts as well as hear yours about this! 💛
I’d really love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so please feel free to share any and all that you want-
🌻 What has worked for you in building discipline and consistency in your own life?
🌻 Have you ever struggled with motivation? How did you overcome those moments?
🌻 What strategies do you use to stay committed to your goals, especially during tough times?
Struggle with motivation, and building a disciplined routine can be tough, let’s support each other on this journey towards taking the steering wheel in our control hehe!
Please feel welcome to share your insights, tips, or personal stories and experiences too.
Together, we can inspire and uplift one another, yesss(?).
Rooting for each one of youu! 💛
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Sunny I read your post. It is well crafted. It has good examples with good points and the pictorial explanation on how Discipline plays important role in serving motivation is self explanatory.
I think this post serves as motivation itself to embark and inculcate discispline in one's life.
I remember mine when I had joined meditation newly and we used to have group session on Sundays 07 30 AM. Waking up early to attend group mediation by going to the centre itself required a pull. I used to be really sleepy but I used to go thinking I will just show up even if I am late. Sometimes used to go thinking I will go and sleep there during meditation, anyways eyes will be closed so nobody will know. So with these lame reasons I used to get up from bed and show up to mediation centre.
And each time after session I used to feel so good about myself that I was present.
Few times for evening sessions, I used to treat myself after session that I managed to come.
So within time I formed a habit that if I am missing a session I used to feel that some part of my life is missing.
This is about 2019 when online sessions were not a trend and we had to physically be present there.
Now with change of time things have changed.
Another thing I would like to put light on is about mind rewiring. It is a scientifically proven fact that it takes 90 days to form a habit.
So if someone wants to introduce something new in their lifestyle. It just takes 90 days of dedication. Then things goes on 'autopilot' mode.
Then we will not need much push from our side to perform something. Our brain will automatically make us do that.
A very much relatable example is brushing teeth in morning. Our brain is programmed to do that without us even trying.
I hope I Contributed something for this inspiring post. All love to Sunny. Thanks for posting this lovely note.
@FaithMonk9473
Aww thank you for your encouraging compliment, Faith, I'm so glad you found this insightful, well-crafted and self-explanatory. I tried hehe! 🥰
Wow thank youuu for sharing such a brilliant response, I'm really glad you've experienced it personally also and am super proud of you for persevering through those meditation sessions.
Love how honest you are about the lame excuses hehe, most of us hoomans do that, some are better at holding self accountable and willingly making an effort to improve, than others though, definitely the distinguishing factor!
Exactly, the auto-pilot! And habit formation, that eventually works!
So many daily examples from one's life, including teeth brushing, indeed, things/ activities without which our days may feel incomplete, almost. Like you said.
You certainly did contribute soooo much to this, with your honest experience, motivating story and encouragement to those trying to build habits too!
Thank youuu, Faithyyy, all the love back atcha, my friend! 🤗💛
Ooh and I absolutely agree with the quote on this picture, so so true! 🥳
I am currently struggling with breaking bad habits regarding my relationship. I am motivated to change, everything in me wants to change to be better for her. But, I think I lack the discipline. I'm unsure of how to make this change stick instead of making endless promises that I will show change and breaking them almost instantly.
Hey there @n0tl1b3rty I am proud of you for trying!
Breaking some habits even if they aren't benefitting us or our relationship(s) positively can be really challenging.
Acknowledging that you want to change is such a powerful step, and it shows how much you care about your relationship and your partner.
It’s important to remember that changing habits takes time and patience, and you’re not alone in this struggle.
Many people find it difficult to break old patterns, especially when they’re tied to deep emotions and relationships. It’s great that you recognize the need for discipline, but be gentle with yourself.
Change isn’t a straight path, often involves setbacks, and that’s part of the process.
Have you thought about starting with small, manageable goals? Sometimes, focusing on one specific habit at a time can make it feel less overwhelming. You might also consider keeping a journal to track your progress and reflect on your feelings. This can help you identify triggers and find alternatives to those old habits.
Also, communicating openly with your partner about your struggles can strengthen your bond. It shows vulnerability and a desire to grow together. They may have insights or support that could help you on this journey and you shouldn't have to feel alone in it.
Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection. Celebrate the small victories and be kind to yourself through the setbacks, it can be difficult but you deserve some Grace along the way.
You’re taking meaningful steps toward becoming the person you want to be, and that’s something to be proud of. Keep believing in yourself, okie? you have the motivation and capability to make this change stick, just small steps every day.
Rooting for youuuu! 🌻
I definitely need to practice being okay with vulnerability and expressing and explaining my emotions to her. I feel like the lack of this causes a lot more problems than not. I want to grow with her very badly and I hope she gives me another chance to prove that. We should support one another.
I will try to start with small goals and slowly improve little things periodically. I will reflect for a small amount of time daily and get insight from her as to what I am doing well, and what needs improvement.
I will try my best to be easy on myself, but tough love is also important because this situation is very serious and I need to see that. I hope things will work out and be okay with her. I will never stop putting in effort to improve, for me AND for her.
@n0tl1b3rty
You speak with so much conviction and sincerity, it's quite impressive how self aware you are and how honest you are with yourself about what you need to do to work on yourself as well as your relationship.
It's not an easy path, but it's so evident you want to make it work and I'm super proud of you for trying your best. Truly wishing the best for y'all!
Thank you for the kind words. I am also hoping for the best. It has been hard to get by recently without her, but I know all I control is myself and my behaviors. I am determined to become better for the sake of all parties. It doesn't pay to be a bad person, or a bad listener. It's important I stick to my practices and improve what I can on my own!
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Thank you for writing this insightful ୧⍤⃝🌻 article and for reminding us to build discipline, Sunshine 🌞💖! 🤗💖⊂(ᵔ◡ᵔ⊂)💗
It really resonate with me because I have recently found my motivation but I do not have the disciple to follow up that motivation. (｡╹▿╹｡)💗
I used to only think about myself and what I want to achieve. ୧⍢⃝୨💗
But now I think of other especially my dad, so I feel like, even if I am capable of achieving my goals, I may not grab the goals because it means leaving my dad to live by himself. So, I guess that is why I do not have the discipline anymore (°.◜ᯅ◝°)🥺💗
🌻 What has worked for you in building discipline and consistency in your own life?
I used to have the discipline to do things each day to achieve my goals by simply doing what I know will help me to reach my goals. ᕙ(ᵔоᵔ)ᕗ💖
🌻 Have you ever struggled with motivation? How did you overcome those moments?
Yes, for quite a while. I watched *** videos to simply get entertained and sometimes there are motivational videos that I come across. Right now I have the motivation, but I am lacking the discipline ٩(⸝⸝ᵕᴗᵕ⸝⸝)و💗
🌻 What strategies do you use to stay committed to your goals, especially during tough times?
I do not know what works for me. It is tough times now, I set up alarms in my phone to remind myself to study, but I just turned it off ᕠ( ᐛ )ᕤ💗
PS. I like the Sunflower 🌻 point you put for each question! ღ(´͈ ᵕ `͈ ღ)💖
Hey hey @VictoriaLove7, thank youuu for the encouraging and colorful response hehe, it means a lot to me that you found something of value here! I've put in a lot of thought and time in writing this one (and also afteŕ quite some time because I think I was kinda struggling with a "writer's block" lol😭), so hearing it helped in whatever ways possible really means the world to me! 🥹💖
I appreciate you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us. It’s clear that you’re on a journey of self-discovery, and I truly admire your honesty and vulnerability. 🌻✨
It's completely normal to struggle with discipline, especially when you’re balancing personal goals with caring for loved ones, like your dad, Vic. Your feelings of responsibility and connection to him show how deeply you care, and that’s a beautiful quality really.
It’s understandable that this would create some conflict within you, regarding choosing what you want and balancing with your responsibilities at home.
You're not alone in this, many people face similar challenges, I assure you! 🤗
Finding motivation is a great first step, and recognizing the need for discipline to follow through is equally important. It sounds like you’ve had success in the past, and I believe you can tap into that again. We do have setbacks at times and can lose out on motivation.
When it comes to building discipline, one approach that might help is to start small, I feel.
Setting tiny, achievable goals could make it feel less overwhelming. Perhaps you could dedicate just a few minutes each day to your goals, gradually increasing that time as you build momentum hehe.
As for overcoming motivation struggles, I can relate with the many options of entertainment and distractions. It’s okay to have those moments too, we are only hooman and shouldn't have to take life super seriously at all times. :0
What’s important is finding what truly inspires you though. Setting alarms is a great strategy too, even if they are turned off sometimes. Maybe consider mixing in activities that spark joy or creativity alongside your goals. Finding that balance can make a world of difference. What do you think?
It’s all about finding what feels right for you. You’re doing amazing just by being aware of these feelings and seeking ways to improve.
Remember, it’s a journey, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time. You've got this, and I’m here cheering you on, alwaysss, dear friend! 💖
More sunflower points for youuu! 🌻🌻🌻🌻
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Thank youu, Sunshine 🌞💖! for your thoughts on this and for helping me find ways to solve my problem with discipline ୧( ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ )୨💗
ꕤ I think it is an owlsome idea to start with smoll steps ᕠ( ᐛ )ᕤ💗
Me will try your suggestion by setting the smoll goals by allocating one hour each day to do the quantitative section of GMAT (whether I feel like studying or procrastinating, I will have force myself to study). I will write it down in my to do list o(^▽^)o💖
ꕤ Also I will try to reduce distraction time (watching *** should be less than the time I spend on studying)٩( ᐖ )۶💖
ღ(´͈ ᵕ `͈ ღ)🌻
@VictoriaLove7
Im always rooting for you and believe in your capabilities, Viccccc, you got this! 🤗💖
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
I've been able to maintain discipline if what I am trying to achieve is something I am always reminded of. Like having a mood board or filling my social media following with people who are doing the same thing.
Hiya @freshRabbit5716 it's wonderful to hear that you’ve found strategies that help you maintain your discipline!
Creating a mood board and curating your social media feed are such powerful ways to keep your goals in sight and surround yourself with inspiration. Remember, it’s completely natural to have ups and downs along the way, and it’s okay to seek support when you need it. You're doing an amazing job by actively engaging with your aspirations!
Stay connected to that vision of what you want to achieve, and trust that your dedication will lead you there. You’ve got this! 🌻
This is a very well written post with great information and reminders. Thank you for sharing it.
What has worked for you in building discipline and consistency in your own life?
I joined the military right out of high school and have worked in law enforcement ever since there after. That is where I learned discipline. Throughout life, having a strict routine has helped me quite a bit. I am so routine oriented and set in my ways that my family and acquaintances make a joke of it. This routine is what helps keep me disciplined and consistent with most things in my life.
🌻 Have you ever struggled with motivation? How did you overcome those moments?
I struggle with motivation every day. I use consistency and discipline to overcome. I try to add those things in my life that need motivation to my routine so that discipline and consistency will take over when I don't have motivation. One of my favorite quotes is "You will never always be motivated so you must learn to be disciplined"
🌻 What strategies do you use to stay committed to your goals, especially during tough times?
As I mentioned above, my routines help to keep me committed. With that said, we are all human. We have tough times, rough times, bad days, weeks, months or even years.....we fall into ruts, funks, whatever it may be. We are allowed to fall off of our motivation, dedication and consistency every now and then....I feel its good for one's mental and emotional well being to "take a break" from these things and be lazy if you feel you need it.....re-evaluate the situation and what is causing you to need the break and what is driving you....I have had to change my routine numerous times in my life.....the key is to let it drop only for a short time, do not dwell or stay there, and get back to whatever it is that keeps you going and moving forward.
Hey hey @CyclingThroughLife it's so wonderful to see you, I always admire your valuable insight and there's always something to learn from things you share about your experiences and such. 💛
It’s evident that you’ve put a lot of reflection into your experiences, and I truly appreciate you sharing them with us here, as it can be super inspiring for others coming across too.
Your journey through the military and law enforcement is impressive, like legit WOWwww, I've only heard about how strict it is and gosh, I'm incredibly proud of youuuu! 💛
For real, it's inspiring to hear how that has shaped your understanding of discipline and routine. I'm certain having a strict routine can offer a sense of stability, especially in such demanding fields. It’s great to hear that you’ve found what works for you and that you’re able to embrace that structure in your life. And I agree, it's okay and also sometimes needed I think, to switch up routines, finding what aligns with our goals more.
I also appreciate your honesty about struggling with motivation, it’s something many of us can relate to hehe (hence why this post here too🙈) , oooh and and it’s super appreciated that you mentioned about the importance of allowing ourselves to take a break. It’s so true that we’re all hooman, and recognizing that we can have off days~without being too hard on ourselves, is vital for our mental and emotional health.
Your approach to integrating motivation into your routine is inspiring, and I love the quote you shared. It really captures the essence of resilience as well as the importance of discipline. Could I add that quote to the main post here? Just so that its visiible to more people coming here hehe! 🥰
Happy to hear that you've been able to develop a healthy perspective on balancing routine with the need for flexibility. I completely agree that it's okay to step back and reassess when we feel overwhelmed. At the end of the day, it's about progress and not perfection, so really, every step counts, and sometimes, it's okay to sit back or pause for a breather. We need those too!
So so glad you found this well written and helpful in someway, this was something too close to my heart, as it is indeed one of the things I've struggled with over the course of time and so, alot of reminders here come straight from the heart, hoping it does resonate with some and helps in others feeling less alone in their struggles too. 🌻
Thank you again for sharing your experiences in this thoughtful and insightful response filled with comfort and compassion too. You have a wealth of wisdom to offer, and I feel encouraged by your perspective.
I've missed seeing you in the forumland, and truly, it was great to hear from you. Looking forward to such interactions, always hehe! 💛
I hope you continue to derive motivation through consistency and discipline, you're doing amazingly well and deserve to credit yourself more for your perseverance and strong-willed attitude in life! 🤗
More power to youu!
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Feel free to share that quote or any of my stories or thoughts you feel would be helpful....thats why we are here, to help each other.....
@CyclingThroughLife indeed, thank you!
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
This is a refreshing post. Thank you for sharing it with me. I think motivation is good for an initial boost but discipline is what helps one get there. Another perspective I like is 'only the disciplined ones are free' I think if we can think of discipline as the price of freedom, that can be a good motivator to actually follow through on discipline.
🌻 What has worked for you in building discipline and consistency in your own life?
Learning to sit with discomfort. If you can do that, you can be disciplined. I also rely on prayer and religious wisdom.
🌻 Have you ever struggled with motivation? How did you overcome those moments?
Motivation is much easier to get. One motivational video can do the trick. I have found that exposing myself to content that encourages adhering to my goals can help. This can be TED talks, books, recent favourite is podcasts. You have to renew it really. Reminds me of the saying, 'there is a cure to addiction but it only works one day at a time'. I think its the same for motivation or staying disciplined, you have to do it one day at a time.
🌻 What strategies do you use to stay committed to your goals, especially during tough times?
I can't say that I can 100% follow through on all my commitments but what is a game changer is accepting that consistency is of utmost importance so you need to prioritize routines you can stick to and accepting that almost everything takes twice as long to achieve as we initially think it would take. Just make peace with the fact that it will take time, you will fail and you need to be realistic with what you can do.
One game changing advice I read is expecting failure. You will fail, all you need to do is get back on track. Did not work out today when you were supposed to? Does not mean I won't tomorrow and throw in the towel. Accept your short comings, show up anyway.
Go slow to go fast! You will end up where you want to go, meanwhile others who surpassed you will be again at the start line by the time you reach your destination (You can especially see this happening in fitness or weight-related goals) so don't think you are behind. You are where you need to be!