Inspiration and motivation – grandiose notions that burn out for many, perhaps the majority of people. You are subject to your current level of focus, energy levels, and likely emotions.
I’ve read in my research on willpower and motivation that we should say ‘screw motivation’ it is useless long term. I disagree completely. Motivation is useful as a ‘burst inducer’ for what I’ve alluded to before as ‘surge mode.’ Motivation is not for consistency.
Inspiration, let’s get inspired right?
An admirable thing to have is inspiration – so many dream of a life of inspiration. I believe in doing the work to understand the relationship between meaning and happiness, and what it means to you personally, familially, and in the context of any other dimension of your life. Inspiration without having done this work is again bursty and likely to flame out over time.
Discipline is the answer.
Now I’m no Jocko, although I do think his notion of discipline is one that is exceptionally useful.
You do not need the right energy levels or being emotionally attuned or the exactly right physical setup to get things moving forward when you are being disciplined. Whether we are talking about using writing as a way to begin to discover your own voice or hitting the gym to rediscover the physique you have waiting to be shone to the world.
Discipline sidesteps the burstiness of motivation and inspiration, and instead creates an ongoing routine that can continue to crank.
Nothing of consequence is given to you, it must be earned. And if it is given to you, it is lost eventually due to the lack of work you’ve put in. Look at lottery winners…
You do not show up one day as a college graduate.
You do not ‘just get’ the VP promotion due to longevity.
You do not have a summertime physique just by taking off your shirt in June.
If you do not have your voice cultivated or have a clear mission in mind. I strongly recommend you start writing today, it will drive clarity of thought over time.
If you do not have the physique you want, get started with a bit of discipline today aimed at reducing the calories you intake and increase the calories you spend.
You train to become someone with an admirable physique, you do not wait to ‘just get’ the form you desire. You do not wait to become a VP, you put the work and self development in. You do wait to become someone with a voice that can write coherent thoughts – you put the work in, deliberately.
This is done with habits and routines that can be layered on top of each other.
You show up.
Each day that you intend to show up, you do.
There is no emotion.
There is no ‘energy equation’ being played out.
You have already committed to yourself, and you do you.
Motivation and inspiration can be employed at other times for other purposes.
Enjoy and embrace the grind of the discipline, you will be amazed at the progress you can make by doing one or two things per day.
Over time, the writing and increased self reflection that comes along with it – will help you cultivate a better version of yourself.
