"Don't expect to be motivated every day to get out there and make things happen. You won’t be. Don't count on motivation. Count on Discipline." - Jocko Willink
Motivation is an incredibly powerful force that can drive us to achieve great things, but it is also unreliable and fleeting. We all have moments of feeling energized and excited to take on the world, but what about those inevitable moments when motivation wanes? I have those moments every few days.
This is where discipline comes into play. Discipline is the practice of consistently showing up and putting in the work, regardless of how motivated you feel. It's about developing habits that align with your goals and then sticking to those habits no matter what.
To cultivate discipline, try the following three strategies:
Start Small: Begin by developing an easy-to-follow habit, such as writing 100 words a day or completing 5 minutes of exercise. As you gain confidence, gradually increase the difficulty of the habit.
Be Consistent: Choose a specific time or cue for your habit and make it non-negotiable part of your daily life. Consistency is key to turning behavior into discipline.
Embrace Failure: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the process. Learn from them and keep moving forward when you stumble. See each failure as an opportunity to become stronger and more self-disciplined.
Discipline lays the foundation for developing habits, and habits in turn shape routines that ultimately define who we are in our daily lives.
Finally, it's important to remember that discipline is a muscle that needs regular exercise. As you cultivate self-discipline in your life, you'll find yourself better equipped to face challenges and achieve goals, feeling motivated at any given moment.