Discipline vs. motivation: understanding the difference

Student-athletes talk about needing motivation to push them. They want to be motivated to work hard, to eat right, and to achieve their goals. But the truth is, motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes. And relying on motivation alone will not lead to progress in athletics or in life.

Discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like doing it. It's about sticking to your goals and priorities, even when it's hard. Discipline requires consistency, commitment, and focus.

Motivation, on the other hand, is based on emotions. It's a feeling that can change from day to day. You might feel motivated to train one day, but the next day you might not feel like it at all. If you rely on motivation alone, you'll find yourself constantly struggling to stay the course.

So, why should discipline be the target for better consistency in your process? Here are a few reasons:

• Discipline creates habits

  • When you're disciplined, you create habits that become part of your daily routine. For example, if you're disciplined about going on a walk every day, it becomes a habit. It becomes something you do without even thinking about it. Habits are powerful because they don't require motivation or willpower.

• Discipline leads to progress

  • When you're disciplined, you make progress towards your goals, even if it's slow and steady. Small, consistent actions add up over time. If you're motivated one day to eat well and then don’t the rest of the week, you're not making progress. But if you're disciplined and stick to a high-performance lifestyle, you're making progress every day.

• Discipline builds resilience

  • When you're disciplined, you develop resilience. You learn to push through discomfort and challenges. You learn to find opportunity through setbacks and failures. Resilience is a valuable trait in athletics and in life.

• Discipline creates self-confidence

  • When you're disciplined, you develop self-confidence. You know that you can rely on yourself to do what needs to be done, even when it's hard. This self-confidence carries over into other areas of your life, giving you the ability to take on new challenges.

Even when motivation is lacking, consistent progress is still possible. Discipline provides the structure and consistency needed to stay focused and move forward. Commit to being disciplined!