We’re about to dive into something that’s clearly on a lot of your minds: motivation—or the lack thereof. Now, before we even get into it, let me just spill the tea: you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or undisciplined. Nope, not even close. You see, it’s just that the framework of motivation and discipline you’ve relied on before isn’t jiving with you anymore. And guess what? That’s totally okay.
Overcoming Stress and Navigating Change: Why Knowing Isn’t Enough
On Instagram I asked the question, “What’s messing with your mojo?” Overwhelmingly, I was told: it’s not that you don’t know WHAT to do; it’s that you’re not doing it. Whether you’re facing life changes like a divorce, a job loss, or maybe you’re venturing into new territories like homeschooling your kids or starting a business—there’s a common thread. Change. Big, gigantic, sometimes scary change.
So let’s break it down.
You’re in a new season of life, and you know what that means? Time for a new game plan, a new system of discipline tailored for the now-you, not the you-from-yesteryears. Because when the game changes, so should your strategies, right? So stick around; we’re about to rewire how you think about discipline and motivation.
Let’s get you back in the game! Keep reading and listen to episode #584 below to learn how to reset discipline and focus.
Unpacking the Power of Discipline and Focus
So, what’s the real deal with discipline? Many people equate discipline with punishment or imposing a set of rules. But let me drop a truth bomb: discipline is essentially about creating a framework—of control, of order. It’s about establishing rules that actually serve you, guidelines that pave the way for you to reach your goals. In fact, many success coaches agree that discipline is the golden ticket to freedom. You want success? Well, success and discipline are practically BFFs. You can’t have one without the other.
The Stress-Reducing Power of Motivation
Now, let’s talk about its buddy, motivation. You’ve got to have the desire to follow through—that’s what motivation is all about. But here’s the kicker: motivation and discipline are not the same thing. While motivation gives you the ‘why,’ discipline provides you with the ‘how.’ And if you ever find yourself thinking, “Ugh, I’m just not feeling it today,” don’t sweat it. You see, discipline isn’t just about willpower; it’s also about creating the right habits. The more solid habits you have, the less you’ll need to rely on pure discipline or spur-of-the-moment motivation. So go ahead, build those habits and let them take some of the heavy lifting off your discipline and focus game.
Why It’s Hard to Maintain Discipline and Focus Amid Change
Hey, let’s get real for a second. Change is the curveball life throws at us that can make discipline and focus feel like moving targets. We’re in a time where change is basically the only constant—hello, who isn’t experiencing shifts in their lives? So here’s the 411: if you find yourself struggling, it’s not that you’ve lost your discipline or focus mojo. Nah, you just need to recalibrate your habits to fit this new landscape we’re all navigating. Whether it’s your home situation, your work life, or even just the way you spend your downtime, things have changed, and so must your habits. Revisiting and realigning those habits can put you back in the driver’s seat, giving your discipline and focus a fresh boost.
The First Challenge: Adjusting Discipline When Life Flips the Script
So, you wanna know what’s really messing with your discipline and focus these days? It’s resisting the changes that are flipping your world upside down. Take it from me, my daily routines have shifted too—by a whole hour and a half! Crazy, right? Now I’ve got a couple more peeps at home, my gym is the living room, and the office—well, let’s just say Zoom is the new boardroom. Like so many of you, I tried sticking to my old habits, same time, same place, same everything. And you know what that got me? A whole lot of self-doubt and frustration. I was basically setting myself up for failure, y’all.
Now, why did this happen? Simple. I was trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, clinging to habits and routines that were designed for a different era in my life. So when you find yourself asking, “Why isn’t this as easy as it was before?”, realize that you’re wrestling with outdated systems. Instead of blaming yourself, it’s time to give those habits a good ol’ refresh. Because when your environment changes, your strategy for discipline needs to be agile too.
The Second Challenge: Navigating Discipline Amid Uncertainty
Okay, so now let’s dig into another tricky challenge that’s crippling our discipline and focus: the good old emotional roller coaster of “When will things go back to normal?” Listen, it’s easy to lose your mojo when it seems like the goalposts keep moving. States are reopening, then closing, then doing a little cha-cha in between. It’s no wonder some of us are feeling a bit, let’s say, disenchanted. If you can’t see that finish line, it’s kinda hard to stay in the race, am I right?
Now here’s the deal—you might not want to hear it, but I gotta say it. Things may never go back to exactly how they were, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But if we keep waiting for that “someday” where it all makes sense again, we’re letting our discipline fall by the wayside. Our habits and routines rely on a positive outlook and motivation. Without those, discipline starts to feel like a chore, rather than an empowering tool. So, instead of waiting for some mythical return to normalcy, why not create a new normal that keeps you disciplined, no matter what the world throws your way?
The Power of Habits: How They Boost Your Discipline and Focus
Let’s talk habits for a sec, and not just any habits—habits that are the real game-changers when it comes to discipline. James Clear, the author of ‘Atomic Habits,’ says something that I find fascinating: “The people with the best self-control are typically the ones who need to use it the least.” Think about that! Self-control becomes almost second nature when you’re not constantly having to flex those discipline muscles. Instead of wishing you were more disciplined, how about structuring your life in a way that makes you more disciplined? James isn’t the only one throwing wisdom nuggets our way; Tony Robbins chimes in too, saying that success is a series of small disciplines or habits that eventually don’t require as much willpower or effort.
And speaking of willpower, let’s not forget that it’s a finite resource. When you turn those little acts of discipline into habits, it’s like setting yourself up on autopilot. You’re no longer forcing yourself to be disciplined; you’re creating an environment where discipline is the norm, not the exception. So, I highly recommend you revisit some of my previous episodes on habit formation—there’s some seriously good stuff in there that will make the whole discipline game a heck of a lot easier.
Mastering the Art of Discipline: An Ultimate Guide to Elevate Your Life
Let’s dive deep into the elusive yet crucial skill of discipline, a skill that is more like a muscle—something you can build up with time, effort, and strategy. Forget the old-school notions that discipline is about denying yourself pleasures or adhering to a rigid schedule. Instead, it’s about aligning your daily actions with your deeper values and long-term objectives.
Building the Foundation
- Embrace Your Future Self: Focus on the identity you aspire to have. Whether it’s being fit, a top-paid consultant, or a wellness guru, let this desired identity guide your daily actions.
- Identify Your ‘Why’: Look for the root motivations that fuel your discipline—family, legacy, financial independence. Make sure it’s compelling enough to sustain you when things get rough.
- Be Clear About Objectives: Break down those massive, intimidating goals into manageable, daily tasks. Your focus should be on incremental progress aligned with your long-term vision.
Breaking Through Barriers
- Eat That Frog!: Channel Brian Tracy and tackle your most daunting task first thing in the morning. It sets the tone and momentum for the rest of your day.
- Feel the Resistance, Do It Anyway: Resistance isn’t your enemy; it’s the friction that molds you. Train yourself to embrace it like you would a challenging workout at the gym.
Pro Tip: If you’re finding it hard to break through your barriers, consider reading ‘Eat That Frog’ by Brian Tracy. It’s a golden resource for reframing your approach to discipline.
Fine-Tuning Your Discipline Game
Remove Distractions:
- Be brutally honest about what sidetracks you.
- Modify your digital environment to serve you, not distract you.
- Set boundaries, like “no social media before 11 AM”.
- Adapt your distraction-busting strategies when life changes (hello, quarantine!).
Embrace Systems:
- Write stuff down; your brain loves it.
- Use a daily planner to plan your tomorrow today.
- Understand that more systems lead to less willpower fatigue and more freedom.
Reward Mechanisms:
- Get the science of pain vs. pleasure working for you.
- Embrace short-term discomfort for long-term gains.
- Bypass the allure of immediate gratification.
- Always question the long-term impact of your choices.
Learning to be disciplined is like a workout for your willpower and focus. The more you understand why you’re doing it and how best to do it, the stronger you’ll get. So the next time you catch yourself hesitating to act on something that aligns with your long-term vision, just tell yourself: “This is my gym, and it’s time to work out.”
You’re not just fostering habits or discipline; you’re crafting an empowered life tailored to your values and aspirations. And let’s be real, that’s some potent stuff. So go ahead, be your own life architect. It’s time to level up.
And so, to echo Richard G. Scott, “Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.” You’re in this for the long game, my friends. Sculpting your life into a masterpiece of discipline, focus, and intention isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. It starts with you, your “why,” and the tiny changes you’re willing to grind through every single day. If you’ve ever thought, “Man, I can’t deal with distractions today,” tune into episode #584. We dig deep into strategies for cultivating an ironclad focus.
Discipline is a craft, not a punishment. It’s the roadmap to your ultimate life, and every turn you take is another lesson learned, another muscle strengthened. Be kind to yourself, adapt, improve, but above all—stay the course. Until next time, I love you all, and keep flexing those discipline muscles!
