I used to think that motivation was everything in reaching my goals. I relied on it heavily. If I lacked motivation, I did nothing towards my goals. I knew what I wanted, but I kept waiting for the right moment or a sign that told me to start. When I got it from a quote or a video, I’d immediately start working. I didn’t realize it then, but the motivation timing controlled everything I did.
You might ask, “What’s wrong with it?” or “As long as the work’s done, why worry?” Sure, I got stuff done, but did I really mean to? Did I choose it for me? Was it my choice, or did something else decide for me?
Exactly. That’s the thing.
Motivation comes from outside.
Relying on it means relying on what others say, do, or achieve.
Motivation helps us move forward, but it’s not the real thing. The right way to get things done and hit your goals is through discipline.
Discipline is from within us. It’s when WE say, “Let’s do this,” and WE do it.
Discipline is not someone else’s push; it’s us pushing ourselves.
Discipline is tougher than motivation because it is difficult to decide something for ourselves that pushes us out of our comfort zone. But when we choose it and stick to it, we see results.
You can get better and quicker results with discipline than just going with the flow of motivation.
Motivation can come and go, but discipline makes us act here and now, no matter what.
That’s why it’s so powerful.
If you practice it and be aware of its power, your life will change.
It’s hard at first, but gets easier with practice.
Before practicing it, it’s very important to understand why we want to get something done in the first place. Recognize your goals. Think about what you’ll gain from achieving them. Really try to imagine and experience the feeling of seeing results. Gain clarity on what you should do in order to make it happen.
That’s where you realize that there is nothing holding you back — only you. If you know what you want to achieve and how you can do it, all that’s left to do is start. You can start here and now.
Starting might sound terrifying and uncomfortable. I’ve experienced it numerous times, but I learned that it gets better and easier after starting. If something doesn't go as planned or fails, let it be.
The fact that you start without needing anyone else to push you is what matters the most and really changes you as a person. It is something to be proud of.
It’s absolutely beautiful.
Now the most important question is how to actually start practicing discipline?
It’s about taking small steps that gradually build into meaningful habits. It’s about setting clear goals and holding yourself accountable. It’s understanding that discipline isn’t about forcing yourself to change; it’s about giving yourself the freedom to grow.
Here is a simple workflow that embraces discipline to reach your goals:
Set goals: Dig deep and figure out why and what you want to achieve
Plan every step: Make a step-by-step plan for how you’ll reach your goals. Doesn’t have to be too complicated, just have a general direction from step to step.
Make time blocks for working towards your goals: Make a weekly schedule with time blocks for taking action.
Develop new habits: Habits are what we do consistently without overthinking, and sometimes not even realizing it. That’s why you should turn your actions toward your goals into habits. It will be much easier to stay consistent with actions long-term.
Stay consistent: Consistency is key. You don’t have to overwork yourself or dedicate a lot of time in a day to your actions as long as you stay consistent.
Grow: As you stay consistent with everything that you’ve set, you grow. That’s where you will be closer to your goals and maybe even re-strategize the journey to achieve them faster.