MOTIVATION IS NOT JUST ENOUGH, BACK IT UP WITH DISCIPLINE

yesterday

Source

In life, we are all aiming at success, and we all want to succeed. On this quest for success, different people rely on different things. Some rely on motivation from others, and that serves as a push or trigger for them to do more in order to succeed. Some listen to all kinds of motivation, read motivational books, and yet, still have nothing to show. This brings us to a big question: in the quest for success and growth, is it motivation or discipline that truly helps us achieve it?

As I said earlier, some people rely on motivation to trigger them, and while some grow and succeed through it, others may not. So now, what is motivation?

Motivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior, it is often understood as a force that explains why people or animals initiate, continue, or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time.

From that definition, we can see that motivation is a force that propels, a driving power that triggers one to act toward a goal. The reality, however, is that many of us get motivated whenever we hear someone speak, preach, or teach. At that moment, we are determined to take action. But the truth is, once we leave that place, the fire fades. We forget everything we have heard, and we fall back into the same patterns, the same lifestyle, and end up at the same point where we began.

This is exactly where discipline comes in. This is where we realize that it does not just take motivation to succeed or grow in any area of life, but discipline plays the vital role. While motivation can spark or push you to start something, it is discipline that keeps you focused and consistent. Before we proceed further, let us understand the meaning of discipline.

Discipline can be seen as a set of rules and regulations to be followed while undergoing any task or activity. It is the way of being honest, hardworking, focused, and committed while carrying out a task.

From this definition, we can deduce that discipline is the guiding principle that ensures you complete what you started. Without discipline, any task you undertake may not yield success, because rules and structures are what sustain effort and growth.

It takes discipline for a motivated person to truly grow and succeed. This means motivation alone is never enough.

Motivation can inspire you to start schooling, but it is discipline that will help you stay on track, attend lectures without persuasion, read even when distractions come, complete your assignments, and graduate with flying colours. That is discipline at work.

Someone can motivate you to start a business, either through encouragement or even financial support, but it is discipline that will sustain the business. Discipline will wake you up on time to open your shop. Discipline will remind you that money meant for the business is not for unnecessary spending. Discipline will keep you consistent, even when challenges arise.

I know of friends who are always motivated to learn a musical instrument whenever they see others play and enjoy it. But immediately they start learning, they begin to skip classes. And when they are faced with a little difficulty, they give up. Their motivation was high, but the lack of discipline made them stop.

In summary, motivation is important because it can serve as a driving force to start, but discipline is what keeps you going. Discipline is the backbone of growth and success, and it cannot be overemphasized. This is why every motivation must be backed up with discipline.

Thanks for reading, I am @nsigo1.