Have you ever wondered why some people seem to achieve their goals and create lasting change effortlessly while others seem to struggle constantly? The question has stumped many, and the answer may surprise you. In this blog post, we will dive deep into the great debate of motivation versus discipline and uncover the surprising truth about what it takes to transform your habits and achieve long-term success in whatever you hope to accomplish. So grab a cup of coffee, buckle up, and get ready to discover why discipline truly outperforms motivation when creating sustainable change.
So why does motivation fail to create a lasting change?
Motivation, while powerful at the moment, often fails to create lasting change due to its transient nature. As an emotional state, it can be influenced by many external factors, such as a change in environment, a positive or negative experience, or even the simple passage of time. Our motivation to pursue a goal can fluctuate drastically based on our current emotional state. When we feel enthusiastic and energized, the task might seem achievable and enjoyable. However, when we feel low, the same task can appear impossible.
Furthermore, motivation is often goal-oriented, meaning once we’ve achieved our intended outcome, the driving force of motivation subsides. For instance, if we’re motivated to lose weight for a specific event, we may lack the same drive once the event is over. This is often why individuals who rely solely on motivation find themselves in a cycle of progress and regress.
In contrast, discipline is not contingent on our emotions or specific goals. It is a consistent commitment to our values and actions, regardless of our feelings. This constant dedication to our chosen path, irrespective of short-term outcomes, is why discipline is often the key to lasting change and long-term success.
A study conducted by Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly (2007) found that self-discipline, more than IQ, predicts academic performance in students. Students who had better self-discipline did better in their academic success and long-term achievements. This supports the notion that consistent, disciplined behavior, rather than transient motivational states, leads to successful outcomes.
In personal health, studies have shown that disciplined behavior, such as maintaining a consistent exercise regimen or a balanced diet, contributes significantly to long-term health success. Unlike motivation, which may ebb and flow, discipline ensures that positive behaviors are maintained over time, leading to lasting change.
While motivation undeniably plays a role in sparking initial change, the steady hand of discipline guides us toward enduring success. These are four powerful benefits of discipline that can change your life and the way you see yourself.
1) Consistency & Routine
The first reason why discipline outshines motivation is its constancy. Motivation, as powerful as it can be, often comes in waves; sometimes, you’re eager to tackle your goals, and other times, it’s challenging to muster the energy. On the other hand, discipline is a steady force that drives you to stick to your plans regardless of your emotional state. It’s like having a reliable friend who is always there to hold you accountable, even when you don’t feel like it. With discipline, you build sustainable habits that become second nature over time, allowing you to stay on track and make steady progress toward your desired outcome.
2) Delayed Gratification
One of the critical ways discipline gives you an edge is by making you immune to the allure of instant gratification. It’s easy to fall into the trap of immediate rewards, where you’re drawn to tasks that offer instant satisfaction over those that require persistent effort but promise long-term gains. This is where discipline comes into play. Discipline teaches you to look beyond the here and now, to delay gratification, and to focus on the big picture. It trains you to resist the sweet seduction of short-term pleasures in favor of the substantial rewards from long-term commitment. This ability to resist instant gratification is often the defining factor between those who achieve their goals and those who fall short.
3) Tolerance & Resiliency
Discipline cultivates resilience. When faced with setbacks or challenges, those disciplined are more likely to persevere and stay committed to their goals. Instead of being swayed by the obstacles, disciplined individuals leverage these hardships as stepping stones toward their objectives, demonstrating that discipline’s impact is far more enduring when compared to the fleeting sparks of motivation.
4) Confidence & Self-Esteem
Discipline naturally fosters a sense of self-achievement and self-worth. By staying committed to your goals, you continually prove to yourself that you can overcome adversity and achieve your goals. This consistent act of proving oneself enhances self-esteem and builds confidence. Over time, this heightened self-esteem becomes ingrained in your identity, establishing you as an individual who is competent, capable, and in control. The ripple effects of such a positive self-image are far-reaching, impacting various aspects of your life, from personal relationships to professional success. Thus, discipline shapes your actions and perception of yourself and your place in the world.
Why is discipline hard to follow?
Discipline often proves challenging to follow due to our inherent tendency towards immediate gratification. We live in a world of fast-paced lifestyles and instant outcomes, where the rewards of disciplined behavior – typically long-term – may seem too distant. Moreover, disciplined behavior often implies stepping out of our comfort zones, challenging our habits, and resisting the allure of more accessible, more immediately rewarding behaviors.
The strength of entrenched habits also poses a significant challenge to discipline. Whether beneficial or detrimental, our habits have the power of familiarity and ease. Breaking away from them requires considerable mental effort and the ability to withstand the discomfort of change.
However, understanding these challenges is the first step towards overcoming them. By acknowledging the allure of immediate gratification and the comfort of old habits, we can better equip ourselves to resist them. Discipline is not just about willpower; it’s also about understanding and strategically managing our behavioral tendencies.
How To Use Discipline to Change Habits?
To successfully use discipline in changing habits, starting with small, manageable changes is essential. Trying to overhaul your life all at once can be overwhelming and set you up for failure. Instead, focus on one or two habits you’d like to change and set achievable goals. For instance, if you’re trying to get in shape, aim to avoid hitting the gym every day right away. Start with one or two days a week, and gradually increase the frequency.
Also, replacing an old habit with a new one is crucial. Merely trying to stop an action often leads to a behavioral vacuum, making it more likely for the old habit to resurface. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, take up a new habit like chewing gum or practicing deep breathing exercises when the urge to smoke arises.
Also, remember to be patient with yourself. Changing entrenched habits is a process, and there will be setbacks. It’s important not to perceive these setbacks as failures but as opportunities to learn and adjust your approach. Discipline isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being committed to improvement, even in the face of challenges.
Using SMART Goal to Create Change
Setting SMART goals can significantly aid in the discipline-driven process of habit change. The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By defining your goals in these terms, you create a clear, structured path toward achieving them, which makes it easier to stay disciplined.
- A specific goal is well-defined and clear, leaving no ambiguity about what you want to achieve. Instead of saying, “I want to read more,” a specific goal would be, “I want to read one book per month.”
- A goal is Measurable when you can track your progress and know when the goal has been achieved. Using the previous example, you can measure progress by how many books you’ve read.
- An achievable goal is within your abilities and resources. If you’ve never been a reader, setting a goal to read 50 books in a year might not be achievable.
- A Relevant goal matters to you and aligns with your other life goals. Reading one book per month might be relevant if you’re trying to learn a new skill or improve your intellect.
- Lastly, a Time-bound goal has a deadline. This encourages you to start working toward the goal immediately rather than procrastinating. For instance, you might make it your goal to read 12 books by the end of the year.
When to seek professional help
While self-guided efforts can be instrumental in facilitating change, there may come a time when professional help is needed. This can be particularly true when repeated attempts to change a persistent habit have been unsuccessful or when the habit is detrimental to physical or mental health.
Mental health professionals are trained to help individuals understand their behaviors, identify triggers, and develop effective strategies for change. They can provide the necessary tools and guidance, creating a supportive environment that encourages sustainable progress. Seeking professional help does not signify weakness; it’s a testament to one’s commitment to personal growth and well-being.
Remember, changing habits takes time and effort, so be patient and seek professional help if you are stuck. You can overcome any challenge and make lasting changes with the proper support and resources.
Share Post:
Start your therapy journey today.
Schedule a 15-Minute Free Consultation With Our Intake Coordinator.
