Motivation vs Discipline
What are The Differences?
Motivation and Discipline is commonly misunderstood in today’s society.
Both concepts are important, and having both motivation and discipline is essential in helping you achieve your goals fast.
So without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Train Analogy
imagine riding a train filled with fuel moving rapidly on the train tracks.
You are filled with a great eagerness to reach your destination; this is your motivation.
However, inevitably, the fuel runs out, which means the train will inevitably come to a halt; your motivation has run out.
You are now stranded with no transport, nobody in sight, and your only option is to walk towards your destination; this task would require significant discipline.
In this analogy, discipline is outlined by the ability to push through hard situations (move on foot) and work towards your goals (destination) despite the lack of motivation (fuel).
How to Get Motivated
Keep in mind that building motivation is a very personal endeavour.
This means what works for me may not work for you.
Nevertheless, I will share a few tips that I believe to be applicable to most people.
Read Books
Books are a fantastic way to get motivated.
Books about said topic are written by world-class experts in said topic.
This means books are a sure-fire way to gain valuable insights about any topic of choice, providing a fountain of unlimited motivation.
Change Your Environment and Routine
After being so comfortable with your current environment and routine, it becomes hard to wake up invigorated and tackle any challenges ahead.
Therefore it makes sense to make slight additions or reductions in your current routine
For example, incorporate 20 minutes of reading daily, or omit 5 minutes of screen-time daily.
You could also make slight changes in your environment, e.g. arrange items in your room in a unique way.
The purpose of this technique is to stop you from “autopiloting” by constantly introducing new stimulus, which begets motivation and discipline.
How to Build Discipline
Exercise
There is no getting around this, exercise is the most straightforward way to build discipline; and a good, healthy physique while you are at it.
But don’t go off running on a treadmill just yet.
While exercise is key, you must still do it correctly by tailoring it for discipline building specifically.
Now what do I mean by this?
Make sure your exercise routine satisfies these two points:
- Duration: Your exercise routine should be long enough - the longer the better in terms of discipline building. However, don't go overboard like "David Goggins" just yet, build up slowly and maximize the duration until it fits in your schedule like a puzzle piece; with no time wasted.
- Intensity: Make sure you are challenging yourself with either heavy weights or many repetitions of a particular exercise until you reach failure or close enough.
The Science of Doing Things You “Don’t” Want To Do
According to the science as of time of writing, there is a part of our brain called the Anterior Mid Cingulate Cortex (AMCC).
The AMCC exclusively expands in size when you perform things you do not want to do.
This is interesting because the AMCC is linked to the mechanisms controlling "willpower", and possibly, our will to live.
As a result, since willpower is directly linked to discipline - yet not the same - doing things you despise is a show of discipline.
For example, exercise can increase the size of your AMCC, especially when done consistently, and at a significant duration and intensity.
NOTE: The AMCC will only grow when you do something you strictly despise doing. It will not grow for actions that are hard yet enjoyable.
Performing actions you don't want to perform has a compounding effect on your discipline and willpower.
So seek out little actions in your life you know you should do - yet don’t want to do - and do them.
Conclusion
Motivation and Discipline are both important in helping you reach your goals.
While Motivation provides a temporary boost towards your goals, Discipline is evergreen and will boost you towards your goals even on those rainy days where everything seems to be against you.