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
On the days when you just don’t feel like getting around to working on a project or opening up your business for customers/clients or starting that exercise program that you have promised yourself you would ‘get around to’ someday… it takes more than the thought process of motivation to get you to move. It often takes discipline to get a job done. Motivation will get you ‘feeling’ like you want to take action but the prod to actually cause the action to occur is that inner push that comes from discipline. Let’s face it – not every day is filled with sunshine and roses. Somedays it is about slugging through the mundane tasks that we either dread or just wish would disappear. That’s where cultivating discipline will get us over the hump and get us to the goals that we want to achieve.
Here are a few tips to keep you going when motivation is not enough to get you onto that treadmill or sitting at your desk writing that report:
- Set time aside for small tasks – no distractions for 10 minutes but focus on one task.
- Set a timer for a task and even if you do not do that task, become aware of how you avoid that task – watch what habits you indulge rather than doing the task
- In engaging any work, become aware of your ‘why’ – why are you doing (task)?
- If you need help, reach out for support so you can stay focused and complete the job
- Do not be afraid to fail – sometimes that is the most powerful means to learn and to grow. Perfection is a myth, but effort will build your discipline muscle.
Without discipline, you will never know what you are capable of … ~ unknown
