Why discipline wins over motivation

Motivation, we’ve all been told is the most important thing, right? It feels great, almost like adrenaline surging through our veins, giving us the rush to get the task done. On the other hand, discipline is, simply put, boring and annoying. It doesn’t come with any sort of hype or excitement.

The importance of discipline

But discipline shows up when motivation doesn’t. The harsh truth is, motivation won’t always be present, and it’ll never be consistent. Discipline however, is a habit you can always rely on. Even through the toughest times, the system you’ve created using discipline will always be there to get the necessary things done.

Discipline is a crucial foundation for a stable and organized life.

Consistency

The importance of understanding consistency is essential to achieving effective discipline, as the definition for it is “The ability to keep doing what needs to be done, regularly and reliably, whether you feel like it or not.”

The 30 day rule

Studies from 2009 published in the European Journal of Social Psychology showed that the 30 day rule, which is promising to stick to an action you want to achieve as a habit for 30 days straight, consistently, turns it into a habit, which means you won't have to force it anymore after those short 30 days. It becomes natural to you. Convenient, right?

Simple and Small habits lead to Big results.

Tips

Try adding little changes into your routine! Such as setting a certain time of day dedicated solely for studying, and using a timer to ensure the work is finished by a set time. Better alternatives include apps, as many of them offer different creative and fun methods to schedule your routine.

Lastly, there’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for a bit. It’s actually healthy to take a break every once in a while. However, don’t mistake isolated results for progress. Finishing one task might feel satisfying, but it’s consistent effort over several days that truly earns a reward.

To wrap up

So, what's really more important? Motivation or discipline? Of course, it depends on you individually, and your preferred method of reaching your goals. However, generally, while motivation may run out easily and can be pretty unpredictable, Discipline sustains in the longer run of a life filled with hurdles, pressing you forward through it all regardless of external factors.

And besides, would you rather feel inspired, or be unstoppable?