Welcome to episode 50! In this episode, I talk about a struggle all of us deal with: trying to stay motivated. In fact, I don’t rely on motivation to keep me going, because that feeling is too fickle for me to rely on. Instead, I rely on discipline.
Summary
Staying motivated is easy when things are going your way. But what happens when they don’t? You can’t rely on only positive momentum to keep you going. That’s where discipline comes in. Whether it’s your mental fitness or physical fitness, you need to stay disciplined and focused on what brings you joy in your life. Don’t let the temporary woes of today distract you from your goals tomorrow.
Discipline is what will get you up every morning to stay on the grind and tackle any challenges that come your way. If I had to get motivated to wake up, especially in the wintertime when my bed feels the comfiest 10 minutes before my alarm goes off, I would NEVER get out of bed! If I had to rely on motivation to pick up trash every week around my neighborhood, I never would’ve totaled over 220 pounds this year! If I had to rely on motivation to be a better weightlifter, I would talk myself out of trying every time and go do something easier. Discipline is your key to success.
Discipline will accompany you during the highs and lows, and it will be most important during the lows. Achieving true success can’t be attained through a “bandwagon” type of mentality. No one experiences true joy when success can be easily achieved. That level of joy is fleeting and goes away really quickly. Instead, find your joy in your ability to stay focused on the parts of your life you need to work hard to earn. Many times these efforts will be unsexy: journaling, meditating, meal prepping, going to bed at a decent hour, waking up early, stretching, more stretching, reading, calling your mom, picking up trash when you see it on the ground. Bake these disciplines into your muscle memory and over time they will become powerful habits you don’t have to think about anymore. Your habits are just part of what makes you, you. And that discipline is pretty badass if you ask me.
Bottom line: I’ll choose Discipline over Motivation any day.