What is the problem with relying on motivation?
Motivation isn’t always a bad thing, it can actually be useful for completing quick tasks or assignments. However, it isn’t something that people should constantly be relying on, because it comes and goes at unpredictable times and can quickly become chaotic. Furthermore, relying on motivation to complete or achieve goals can actually have the opposite effect. Since motivation is often fleeting, it can cause procrastination as well as burnout. So to summarize, once motivation leaves your body, it’s endgame.
Many people, including the students and staff at Broad Run, struggle with overcoming a lack of motivation, which is completely normal. For example, Aradhana Parthasaradhy states this about her struggles with motivation: “I have a routine of listening to podcasts everyday, but sometimes I don’t have the motivation to do it.” This shows how relying on motivation to determine whether you do or do not do something can have bad results such as idleness.
How does discipline help?
Discipline can help students at Broad Run in many ways, especially goal achievement or self control. Parthasaradhy states that “Discipline is more likely to keep you going even though you might not have motivation. It becomes a habit at some point if you continually use it. It’s really helpful because you can still get your work done without having to rely on motivation.” Parthasaradhy’s comment about how discipline works and helps people in their lives really gives an insight into how discipline can change the game.
How to start
To start disciplining yourself, try focusing on small tasks or habits that relate to a bigger goal that you’re trying to achieve. Breaking down a big goal into smaller tasks can help you give yourself a steady pathway to success without having to risk burnout. By setting small, achievable goals, you can slowly build up towards your ultimate goal in a calculated manner.
So, which one is better?
So, while motivation can spark enthusiasm and energy to achieve goals, discipline still proves to be the more reliable option. Motivation often fluctuates based on internal or external factors, making it inconsistent. On the other hand, discipline roots habits into the mind, enabling students and staff at Broad Run to stay productive even with no motivation. Ultimately, while motivation can start the journey to success, discipline is what sustains it to the end.