motivation vs discipline

Client: "Michelle, how do you always stay so motivated to workout and eat well?"

 

Coach M: "I'm not always motivated to workout and eat well; I'm disciplined."

 

Think about this for a moment...

 

When you were a child, you were told to "brush your teeth". You may not have been motivated to brush your teeth, but you did it anyway. Now as an adult, you don't even have to think about it; you automatically brush your teeth (at least I hope so!). You're disciplined in the teeth brushing department of self-care. Living a healthy, active lifestyle and eating nutrient-dense food is no different. If you do it enough, despite your motivation to do so, you'll naturally develop the habit to repeat the behavior. 

 

See, motivation is a feeling. Our feelings change. So we can't rely on our emotions to drive our actions or sustain them.

 

In today's newsletter I want to clarify the difference between motivation and discipline and how each can help you achieve better results in fitness, health and life in general.

 

Let's first explore the differences between motivation and discipline as it relates to our topic here...

mo·​ti·​va·​tion 

[ˌmōdəˈvāSH(ə)n]

 

A temporary feeling, state or condition of wanting to act on or accomplish something.

dis·​ci·​pline 

[ˈdisəplən]

 

Behavioral conduct regardless of the emotional desire to execute it.

Consider this...

 

Something motivates or excites you to make a change, and in the early stages you are motivated to take on the task. At some point however, that motivation or excited "feeling" fades. This is where you have to tap into discipline to keep it going. Discipline helps push through the times when motivation is low.

 

Example: You wake up one morning and are all gung-ho and excited (motivated) to workout before work.

 

Motivation is a wonderful thing so when motivation is high, run with it, but do NOT depend on it to last. 

 

Example: You wake up one morning and the LAST thing you FEEL like doing is working out before work.

 

On these mornings you need to lean into discipline to ensure the behavior is carried out. HOW? Simple. Get into the habit of doing it anyway regardless of how you feel about it. Quiet that voice in your head that comes up with every excuse in the book why you're not going to exercise and just DO IT. Eventually working out (as in this example) will be as automatic as brushing your teeth, regardless of how you feel about doing it.

Motivation is what gets you started.

Discipline is what keeps you going.

So my question to you is this...

 

"Are you going to be a passive participant and wait for MOTIVATION to guide you, or are you going to actively build the DISCIPLINE to gain more control over your current situation?"

April Healthy

Intentions Tracker

It wouldn't be a new month without a new intentions tracker. The first page of the PDF is an example of healthy intentions you want to work on this month. Try to pick three intentions: the first one is easy for you to accomplish, the second is moderately challenging and the third intention is meant to really push you.

Print off page two, fill in your intentions and place your PDF somewhere you will see it often (on your fridge, by your night stand, etc.). At the end of each day, fill in the intentions you accomplished that day!

 
Click to Download

Get ready for

Shred With M!

Look and feel your very BEST with my 30-Day Signature Shred With M Program! Join the hundreds of women and men who have transformed themselves from the inside--out!

 

Registration for my next group will begin next week April 8th - April 10th @ 8pm CST. The program will run April 11th through May 11th. Links to join will be provided in my email on April 8th.

 

Note: This will be the LAST Shred With M group I will be running until Fall 2022. Join us and walk into the summer season looking and feeling your very BEST!

NEW Summer Recipe E-Book Launch!

Summer months are a time of drinks, BBQ, patios and friendship. But it’s also the time of year when many people GAIN weight. 

My NEW Summer Survival Recipe E-Book contains over 55 pages of savory and sweet summer recipes (macros included) designed to help you avoid weight gain during the summer months and STILL allow you to have a great time with your favorite people!

 

I am so excited to kick off the summer season with this tasty resource for all of you! Stay tuned for the e-book launch date later this month!

Coaching

 

If you are interested in becoming a Virtual Holistic Wellness Coaching or Personal Training client of mine, just send your email to: michelle@obrienfitness.net

 

We will book a complimentary consultation call to explore your goals and look at a few services that will align with your intentions.

 

You deserve greatness.

You deserve to achieve your goals.

You deserve to feel your very best.

And you deserve to make your health and wellness a priority.

 

I cannot wait to work with you!

 

Coach M xo

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