Motivation. That word turns up everywhere, doesn’t it? In social media feeds, Instagram posts, Twitter hashtags, inspirational Pinterest pins, and beaucoups of book and blog titles. When I type “motivational” into the Google search bar, the first results that pop up are “Motivational Quotes,” “Motivational Quotes for Athletes,” and “Motivational Workout Quotes.” That’s a pretty good indication that people are actively looking for a magical sentence or punchy phrase to pump them up for the gym.

But no matter how well crafted the quote, we all need more than motivation to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. Momentary bursts of motivation, whether inspired by a movie, a book, or a #MondayMotivation tweet, are just that – momentary.

Zig Ziglar once said that motivation, along with bathing, doesn’t last, which is why we do it daily. That’s very clever and definitely drives the point home that motivation is a fleeting, fickle force whose presence in our minds is never guaranteed and thereby must be sought out, just like a shower.

However, Mr. Ziglar’s statement seems to imply that motivation is readily accessible to everyone, like we can simply wake up each morning, turn to a page in a book or visit a particular Instagram account, then choose the motivational quote we’ll use for fuel that day.

But getting motivated isn’t always as easy as bathing. Oftentimes, the odor of de-motivation returns five seconds after we’ve lathered up with the latest quote, verse, proverb, or mantra. This leads me to believe that we need to bathe in something much stronger than the syrupy soap of rhapsodic sayings.

I listened to an episode of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast in which retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink (whom Ferriss describes as “one of the scariest human beings imaginable”) was asked this question by a listener:

“How can you stay motivated when every day is a struggle to accomplish goals?”

Willink answered:

“This isn’t about motivation … It’s about discipline … Motivation comes and goes … Something as simple as being hungry can sap your motivation, right? That’s ridiculous. You can’t rely on that … ‘Oh, my blood sugar went down; I’m not motivated anymore.’ ‘Oh, I didn’t have enough caffeine; I’m not motivated.’ No, wrong answer.

“Motivation is unreliable, and when you’re counting on motivation to get your goals accomplished, you’re likely gonna fall short. So don’t count on motivation; count on discipline. You know what you have to do – go make yourself do it.

“Make yourself do it.

“Everybody wants some kind of magic pill or some life hack or something that eliminates the need to do the work, Well I will tell you what – you need to do the work …. You’ve got to make it happen yourself …

“So dig in. Find the discipline. Be the discipline, and accomplish the goals. Period. That’s it.”

 

 

Generally speaking, I think it’s human nature to complicate things that really are rather straightforward. Take weight loss, for example. We all know that in order to drop pounds, we need to eat less and move more. Granted, there are certain things we can do (cutting out artificial sweeteners, limiting processed foods, decreasing carb intake, etc.) that can expedite the process, but essentially, if we want to lose weight and keep it off, we need to exercise regularly and avoid overeating for the majority of the time. Yet despite knowing this simple weight-loss strategy, many people look for, like Mr. Willink said, magic pills to remove hard work from the equation. We don’t want to do the work. We want to cheat.

Don’t cheat your way to motivation. Don’t depend on a catchy song, a motivational post, a trendy book, or the beach vacation you want to slim down for to empower you as you pursue a goal. Chasing motivation will do nothing but exhaust you as you perpetually search for external sources of inspiration and desire.

Stop looking outside for motivation and instead search within yourself for the discipline, as unglamorous as it may be, to do what’s necessary even when motivation is non-existent.

No matter the weather, no matter your mood, no matter the circumstances, it is discipline – not motivation – that will propel you toward achieved goals, fulfilled dreams, not to mention a satisfied soul.

God made us to work hard and to take pleasure in our accomplishments. After all, as beings formed in His image, we were made to create, and creating anything requires discipline, patience, and perseverance. We may plant and water and scatter seed for months, even years, before harvest time comes, but the bounty that rewards the disciplined is unsurpassed.

I encourage you this week to prioritize discipline over motivation. Think about what practical things you can do to set yourself up for success, no matter how you may be feeling on any particular day. Perhaps you can set a consistent schedule for exercise or reading, or doing a Bible study, or working on a creative project. Maybe you can set your alarm to wake up thirty minutes earlier to pray before you start your day. Maybe you can pre-plan a menu of healthy meals for the week so you don’t resort to fast food at the last minute.

What will you do this week to utilize and nurture your own innate self-discipline? Tweet me at @dandersontyler and let me know! I would love to hear from you!

 

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” – Hebrews 12:11, NLT