Using motivation and discipline……

GOAL FOLLOW-UP

Most of us set goals or “resolutions” at the end of the year or the beginning of the year.  If you set goals for yourself at the end of the year, have you followed through?  Were you among the millions of people who decided to set goals or had New Year’s Resolutions?  Did you write these goals down?  Have you determined the steps required to achieve those goals?

This year is the year to live life to the fullest and without fear, but what do you need to do that?

 Setting goals is an important aspect of personal and professional growth. It allows us to have a clear direction and purpose in life and motivates us to work towards achieving our desired outcomes. However, when it comes to actually achieving these goals, two approaches often come to mind – discipline and motivation. While both are important, they have distinct differences that can greatly impact our success in reaching our goals. In this blog post, we will compare using discipline to motivation when setting goals, and how they can work together to help us achieve our aspirations.

Discipline Verses Motivation

“The cost of procrastination is the life you could have lived.”

Discipline is defined as the quality of being able to work and behave in a controlled way. Motivation is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.  What are you committing to?  

If losing weight to look good is your motivation for going on a diet, then you also need to have the discipline to maintain that diet as well as exercise.  You can see from that example that motivation is not the only requirement for reaching a goal.  If you don’t have the discipline to implement the necessary steps to reach your goal, you are more likely to fail.

In the previous blog, https://ingridsinspiration.com/finish-strong-the-end-of-year-goal-challenge/ we discussed using the SMART process of setting goals.

Here is a short recap.  However, I encourage you to read the entire blog.  

Tips for Creating SMART Goals

SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

• Be Specific about what it is you want.  Is the goal clearly defined?
• Measurable refers to being sure the goal can be tracked.  Can you see progress from moment to moment?
• An Achievable goal is something realistic.  Don’t set a goal that is so lofty that you set yourself up for failure before you even begin.  Do you have the right skills and or resources?
• A Relevant goal refers to the big picture.  What is your reason for setting that goal?
• Time-bound is how we measure the success of the goal.  Since we know the time of the challenge is 90 days, write down the date you begin the challenge.  Seeing your start date is going to keep you focused on the journey.  We’ve given ourselves 90 days to accomplish these goals, so when we start is important.

Discipline

Discipline can be defined as the ability to control one’s actions, behavior, and emotions in pursuit of a goal. It involves setting a routine, sticking to a schedule, and making consistent efforts toward achieving a specific outcome. Discipline is often associated with strict rules and self-control, which can sometimes feel restrictive and challenging. However, discipline is a crucial aspect of goal setting as it allows us to stay focused and on track, even when faced with distractions or obstacles.

Motivation

On the other hand, motivation is the driving force that pushes us towards our goals. It is the enthusiasm, desire, and passion to achieve something that gives us the energy and determination to keep going. Motivation can come from within, such as personal values and beliefs, or from external factors such as rewards and recognition. It is a powerful tool in goal setting as it provides us with the inspiration and drive to take action and move closer to our desired outcome.

Motivation and Discipline Work Together

Motivation is what gets you started on your journey to achieving your goals. It’s the energy and excitement that drives you forward. Discipline is what keeps you going when the going gets tough. It’s the ability to stay focused on your goals and to keep working even when you’re tired or discouraged.

Both motivation and discipline are essential for achieving your goals. Motivation is the spark that gets you started, and discipline is the fuel that keeps you going. Let’s take a deeper look at how they complement each other.

Motivation gives us the initial push to start working towards our goals. It provides us with the drive and energy to take action and make progress. Without motivation, we may lack the enthusiasm and determination to even start working towards our goals.  Remember the example I gave at the beginning?

It is important to note that motivation is not a constant state, and it can fluctuate over time. This is where discipline comes in – it helps us stay on track even when our motivation levels are low. By sticking to a routine and following a schedule, we can continue making progress toward our goals, even when we don’t feel particularly motivated.

Tips for Using Motivation and Discipline to Achieve Your Goals

Here are a few tips for using motivation and discipline to achieve your goals:

1. Set realistic goals. If you set your sights too high, you’re more likely to get discouraged and give up. Start with small, achievable goals, and then gradually increase the difficulty as you progress.
2. Break your goals down into smaller steps. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable.
3. Visualize your success. Imagine yourself achieving your goal and how good it will feel. This will help to keep you motivated.
4. Find a support system. Having people who believe in you and who can help you stay on track can make a big difference.
5. Reward yourself for your progress. This will help to keep you motivated and on track.

So as you can see, both discipline and motivation go a long way in helping us achieve our goals.  While discipline provides us with structure and consistency, motivation gives us the initial push and drive to take action. Together, they can be a powerful combination in helping us reach our desired outcomes. So, when setting goals, it is important to have a balance between discipline and motivation. Set a routine and stick to it, but also find ways to keep yourself motivated and inspired, like inspirational and motivational quotes from your favorite author or influencer.

Keep moving towards your goals using both motivation and discipline.

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