You’ve probably heard people say things like, “I’m just not motivated today” or “I need more discipline to reach my goals.” But what do those words truly mean, and how do they affect our lives? We’re about to explore the differences between motivation vs discipline, why both are essential, and how to harness them to achieve success in every aspect of your life. This exploration includes using intrinsic motivation to achieve goals, whether they are job promotions, earning a gold medal, or making lasting changes.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel excited and fired up to make changes or start new projects. This burst of energy is what we call motivation, but anyone who’s tried to build a new habit knows that feeling fades pretty quickly. That’s where discipline enters the picture – it’s the steady, consistent effort you put in even when you don’t feel motivated.
Table Of Contents:
- What Is Motivation?
- What Is Discipline?
- Motivation vs Discipline: Leveraging Both for Success
- FAQs About Motivation vs Discipline
- Conclusion
What Is Motivation?
Motivation is what gets us started. Think about starting a new exercise plan. You may have seen an inspirational story or watched a motivational video. This initial inspiration is what gets you excited and ready to lace up those running shoes.
But motivation, as amazing as it feels, comes and goes. I’ve dealt with this time and time again. Think of it like the spark that ignites a fire. It’s crucial for getting the flame going, but the spark alone won’t keep a fire roaring for long.
Motivation can stem from external sources – wanting to impress someone or winning a prize. That’s called extrinsic motivation. However, lasting change is usually driven by intrinsic motivation: a real desire that comes from within, like the personal satisfaction of accomplishing a tough goal.
This relates a lot to self discipline vs discipline as well. Because if you haven’t heard they are in fact different.
Why Is Motivation Important?
Motivation provides that initial push, that drive to make a change. Without motivation, you might never even consider taking that first step toward your goals. Motivation is especially important in the early stages of pursuing any goal. You’ll find yourself eager and full of enthusiasm as you begin, and motivation plays a huge part in that positive mindset.
But, as you might already know from your own experiences, just relying on motivation won’t take you all the way. You’ll inevitably face challenges and even lose some steam. It’s like running a race and hitting that notorious “wall.” This is where comparing motivation vs discipline comes in handy.
Think of motivation like a friend who’s great at pumping you up but might bail when things get tough. That friend can be fantastic for starting a workout, but they might disappear when your muscles start screaming.
Types of Motivation
Most of us are driven by a blend of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. When it comes to pursuing long-term goals, though, research indicates that people motivated by inner desires are more likely to see results.
Take weight loss as an example. Research suggests those driven by intrinsic motivators, like wanting to feel healthier and have more energy, tend to make lasting changes.
People relying solely on external motivators like aiming to look better for others in a swimsuit might not stick with it in the long run.
What Is Discipline?
Now let’s talk about discipline. Think of it as the dependable workhorse – less glamorous, maybe, but absolutely crucial for going the distance.
In the book Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen Covey describes it as “the ability to make and keep promises and honor commitments.”
This means following through with your plans and commitments – going to the gym, following that Bible reading plan, prepping that food – even when every fiber of your being wants to hit snooze, binge-watch Netflix, or grab takeout instead.
Discipline helps you stay disciplined and accomplish these things even when you are not feeling motivated.
Why Is Discipline Important?
While motivation provides that spark, it’s discipline that keeps us on track to meet long-term goals. Studies show that people with good self-discipline also tend to have solid, ingrained habits. They’re not relying on a fickle friend or some other external motivator every morning.
Think about getting ready for work. Brushing your teeth or showering likely doesn’t require a huge burst of willpower every single day. These are well-established habits, actions done almost without thought.
Discipline is what helps with habit formation to achieve goals like this.
Discipline Builds Habits
That’s the key to mastering motivation vs discipline; turn those motivated goals into habits driven by consistent action. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits describes how habits are formed – something called the “habit loop” consisting of four steps. This cycle highlights how consistent practice helps form good habits.
| Stage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. Cue | This is what triggers the habit, like putting your running shoes by the bed to signal a morning run. |
| 2. Craving | This is the feeling or need that motivates the habit. This could be that feeling of accomplishment after a good workout. |
| 3. Response | This is the action or habit itself, like the workout itself or hitting that “Publish” button on your blog post. |
| 4. Reward | This is the payoff that helps solidify the habit, be it the release of endorphins during a workout or a surge of positive comments on your new post. |
Is One Better Than the Other?
So which is superior – motivation vs discipline? They actually need each other. Motivation might be the cheerleader that gets the party started, while discipline keeps the good times rolling long after the novelty wears off.
A practical illustration can be seen in certain business ventures. Entrepreneurs start businesses with dreams and enthusiasm – that is their motivation. They often put in years of consistent effort even during times of setbacks or financial strain, because discipline sees them through.
That same concept works in fitness or any life goal. Think about someone prepping for a big race or competition. Their motivation may be picturing the thrill of victory and that propels those first training sessions. Discipline helps them stick to their grueling workout schedule when exhaustion or other distractions come into play.
For me, it was the allure of having a muscular body when I first started lifting weights as a skinny young high-school kid. That was my motivation.
Now, with discipline to carry me through 15+ years of fitness training, I’ve built a physique that is much larger and more capable than when I first started.
Experts on motivation vs discipline in the world of fitness note that both are required to get mentally and physically fit, where neither is “better” but when put together works much more effectively.
Professional trainers, athletes, and I too, suggest using motivation as your reason for starting and discipline as what helps you commit and reach your goal. They work together to improve your overall fitness levels or any goal you’re after.
Motivation vs Discipline: Leveraging Both for Success
Instead of wondering which is “better” or “stronger” in the context of motivation vs discipline, look for ways to integrate both.
Imagine training yourself for a 5K.
Maybe a family member recently had heart problems or maybe you have your own struggles with weight. That could be the fuel that gets you on your feet – the initial push provided by motivation.
That could be internal motivation – a desire for better health – or it could stem from seeing how health challenges affected your family member – an external motivator.
Make Discipline Easier
But you know from experience that those early feelings of motivation fade. So, here’s how discipline takes over:
- Set manageable goals: Trying to suddenly become an Olympic marathon runner won’t work for anyone. Instead, focus on going a mile each day. Then maybe 1.5 miles, and then two. Slowly ramp things up to make it feel less overwhelming, which makes it easier to stick with those efforts.
- Find ways to enjoy the process: Maybe those daily walks are boring, but listening to a podcast or the Bible might make things feel less tedious. Find creative ways to enhance your routines and make them more engaging.
- Reward yourself: Celebrate hitting mini-milestones or staying committed to your plan. That reward could be anything you enjoy that isn’t too damaging. Find something that will feel good, and use it as fuel to keep the wheels turning.
Teresa Amabile, a Harvard Business School professor, has done research on what she calls “the progress principle” which looks into the positive power of making meaningful progress toward any meaningful goal, large or small.
As small, positive feelings add up toward something greater, your motivation grows – pushing you and giving you a natural “reward” that helps push you to the finish line. It’s like extrinsic motivation but it’s an awesome cycle if you know how to make it work for you, as an individual, or for your team.
FAQs About Motivation vs Discipline
What is better: to be motivated or disciplined?
Each plays a distinct role in reaching those big, life-changing goals. Neither is necessarily “better.” They both work together, with discipline being important for the long haul.
Can you have discipline without motivation?
You certainly can. Discipline relies more on setting processes and practicing habits until they become routine. Working hard at something can bring you a sense of accomplishment.
Does motivation or discipline come first?
That’s kind of like asking which came first – the chicken or the egg. They feed off each other. Motivation might come first, leading you to establish disciplines that keep the ball rolling. For example, wanting that job promotion (motivation) may be the thing that makes you start working harder (discipline).
How do you go from motivation to discipline?
It’s all about establishing positive habits that stick. Start small, find ways to enjoy the journey, reward yourself as you go, and acknowledge that progress is more important than perfection. By creating a wellness routine you stick to even on the days you don’t feel like it, you are strengthening your discipline.
Conclusion
Think of motivation vs discipline as different but complementary forces that work together to enhance all aspects of your life.
When motivation inevitably wanes, discipline helps pick up the slack, guiding you through those times of struggle and moving you steadily toward the goal you’ve set. Embrace both these potent forces.
Let motivation be your starting block and then discipline to make sure you can reach the finish line, whatever that “finish line” means to you. With motivation lighting the way and discipline as your guide, you’ll make strides you never even dreamed possible.
