Discipline vs. Motivation as a Content Creator

Every single one is great at being motivated on day 1. No matter what it is we're tackling, that first day is one where we promise ourselves we're going to stick to this routine. A new workout program, a new diet, and new study schedule...

Then day 3 hits. You're tired, your bed feels so much more comfortable on a Sunday morning than it usually does, you justify that you were good the last couple of days, what's wrong with a well deserved break?

This is the difference between discipline and motivation. Motivation comes and goes. It's not exactly dependable because it's just a feeling. Discipline is a tangible choice you make in your mind. It's about doing what you set out to do even when you don't want to.

And that's the difference between someone who treats their business like a hobby versus someone who actually gains a mastery of something over time.

Once you become aware of this, you can start attacking it logically. This is black and white. You do, or you don't. So make things easier on yourself. Put your phone away if you want to focus. If you want to workout try laying out your clothes the night before so it's the first thing you see as you wake up. Remove that friction point where you "might not" and just force the issue and remove the potential for excuses.

Arnold always talks about lowering the bar. This doesn't mean only giving half the effort. It means going to the gym and at least getting "something" in instead of not going at all. Once you get there, the hardest part is over. Even if you only spend 45 minutes there instead the hour and a half you planned, that kind of consistency even when you "don't wanna" makes all the difference and is wayyyyy better than zero.

Be a robot and stop thinking. Just get up and do. You talk yourself out of things when you overthink. Treat the tasks on your to-do list like appointments. Show up. No excuses.

And if you're like me, track your wins. When you get to the gym and get that workout in even when it was cold and rainy and your bed felt sooooo good, that kind of a win makes the next day even more special. Now you're on a roll. Now you feel like you're way ahead, Keep that momentum, keep pushing, keep publishing that content, hit that streak of 7 days in a row.

So stop waiting for inspiration to hit. Build your discipline so you show up for yourself. You're not always going to feel like it. You just gotta show up and get in the chair and start working.

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No AI text in this WA blog post.
You don't need it. (<- normalize this)