Motivation vs discipline. Before I started healing, these two concepts were not things I gave much thought to. Whenever I didn’t follow through, I assumed I was just lazy. It turns out there was something causing that “laziness.”
Motivation vs Discipline; Are They The Same Thing?
Many of us use these terms interchangeably, mistakenly thinking they’re the same thing. However, they are anything but.
Motivation Is
The emotional catalyst that drives us to do something. You know, that rush of “Hell yeah, I’m doing this!” That’s the spark of motivation. Our why. And everyone’s why is different because it’s personal to you. For example, some people can be motivated to earn more money, so they will aim for a better-paid job. This would be extrinsic motivation. The motivation is the reward promised (increased pay).
On the other hand, intrinsic motivation comes from inside us. We’re motivated to do something for the genuine joy and happiness it’ll bring us. It’s still a reward, but a reward that we give ourselves, not from an external source. For example, my drive to heal comes from the motivation to be happier in myself, for myself.
But like any and all emotions, motivation ebbs and flows. We could feel pumped to make things happen one moment, and the next, maybe not. This is where discipline comes in.
Discipline Is
By definition, a verb (a doing word); emphasis on the doing. And self-discipline is doing something, regardless of how we’re feeling. It allows us to put in the time and effort needed for the outcomes we truly desire. Unlike motivation, which is more of a feeling, discipline is like a muscle. A behaviour that we can train ourselves into with habits and consistency. With increased self-discipline, we get better at sacrificing short-term pleasures for long-term happiness.
Motivation vs Discipline, I Lacked Both
Before I shifted into the lifestyle and way of “being” I embody now. I lacked both motivation and discipline. Since diving into my traumas, I now understand where this lack stems from. It made such sense that I could never stick to things that would help me long-term, and why the moments of motivation that could give me the nudge barely made a dent. My self-hating mindset was so embedded that I didn’t feel worthy of anything different. Because of this, there was no drive to develop discipline or feel the love of motivation for myself.
Because of this when I finally broke, I broke. But at the same time, a primitive longing to take care of myself from that moment on emerged. It felt so unfamiliar. This was my intrinsic motivation to change my fate, which led me down the path I am on now. Once I realised the power to change and heal my internal world was in my hands, I bravely took on that responsibility.
Motivation And Discipline Aren’t In Competition
Turns out, its not motivation vs discipline at all, both help get us to where we want to be. Without motivation, how can we feel connected and passionate about why we do what we do? It gives us the initial momentum to go for what we really want. Then, when you complement this passion with self-discipline, you have a powerful pair for when that motivational wave settles into a ripple. With discipline, you have the focus and consistency to continue fighting the good fight. At least until you’re able to remind yourself of your why and recharge your motivation.
How Can You Tap Into Your Motivation And Strengthen Your Discipline?
So it did take a lot of tears and hurtful moments for me to harness my motivation enough to start developing self-discipline. But it is doable, trust me. It’s also important to remember that your motivation will come and go, but the key is to continue strengthening your self-discipline so it can pick up the slack when it does.
With Motivation, It’s Not As Straightforward As Building Self-Discipline
It’s based on a feeling within, something that is subjective to each and every one of us. For this, I’d recommend taking time to reflect inward. I do a lot of self-reflection through journaling and getting in touch with myself on a deeper, more vulnerable level. (If you check out my article “How to Start Journaling” and my “Tools” page, you can see what tools I use.) Yes, this can be stressful, but I’ve come to realise that unless I learn to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, I’ll never get to the nitty-gritty of what drives me to do certain things.
This Applies To Developing Discipline As Well
It requires us to apply focus and commitment to tasks that we know will benefit us in the long run, even if we don’t feel pleasurable at the time. The more we strengthen our self-discipline, the better autonomy and control we have over our own actions. We learn to rely on ourselves to follow through on what’s important and pay less attention to distractions that could derail us.
For me, I’ve been developing my self-discipline through different practices (also found throughout this blog). Including building a growth mindset, implementing new habits and cutting out old ones, creating smart goals, and writing a daily checklist of them down (so I can keep track of myself and notice areas I need to improve on). These tasks are baked throughout my day, and to the best of my ability, I stick to them, even when I don’t feel motivated to do so. Don’t feel you have to shoot for the stars initially; like any muscle, you start with realistic, feasible goals and build your way up. Each win is a win, regardless of how “small” you may think it is.
It’s also just as important for the maintenance of self-discipline to be gentle and patient with yourself when you do slip up. Remember, you’re human. If we punish ourselves for that, we risk slipping further back. Discipline shouldn’t actually be seen as punishment, despite what our past may have had us believe.
For so long, I felt like I had no control over my life. I was existing, but not living. Finding my motivation got me started, and improving my self-discipline has given me the determination to keep going.
I hope you can do the same.
What are your views on motivation and discipline? I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment or just fill out a contact form!
