🧠 The Difference Between Discipline and Motivation

The term “motivation” is often correlated with the urge to exercise (or lack thereof). Let’s reframe that and learn about discipline's role in exercise

James Smith, a smart online trainer who’s made appearances here on HPH before, had a great post on

why exercising with weights eventually gets boring.

If you don’t have something outside of the weight room to keep you busy — be it running, tennis, swimming, or something else recreational — it becomes hard to discipline yourself to lift weights only for your physique.

I want to dissect the word discipline because it’s often underused when discussing workout consistency.

Most will say, “I don’t have the motivation to work out today,” and that’s true.

But saying it is redundant — no one has the motivation to work out every day.

You need to have the discipline to work out most days, not every day.

This morning, for example, I had a conversation with a client about her discipline.

We’ve been training together for about seven months, and only today did she finally see some things starting to click.

She was motivated at first to seek me out, but discipline in her approach to finding out how to be in tune with her body was what ultimately led to this breakthrough (I’m so proud of you, if you’re reading this!)

Newsletter Summary

• Why motivation and discipline are both necessary but need to be distinguished*

• Avoiding self-sabotage by blaming your “lack of motivation” for working out

• One quote from my favorite podcaster to end your week

*As a reminder, I’m your de facto health coach. I want to see you succeed whether or not we ever perform a training session together.

The Difference between Discipline and Motivation

Discipline is the backbone of consistency. It involves setting clear goals, establishing routines, and developing a strong work ethic.

Good exercisers who are disciplined individuals prioritize their workouts, even when they don't feel like it.

These people understand the long-term benefits of staying committed to their fitness regimen.

Studies have shown that disciplined individuals have higher levels of self-control, enabling them to resist temptations that may hinder their progress

Motivation is the driving force that fuels our desire to take action.

It is the excitement, inspiration, or sense of purpose that propels us forward.

Discipline provides structure, motivation provides the spark for the structure.

But motivation is always in flux, and when motivation becomes too ingrained as our “why” for exercise, we blame the lack of it.

Think of your last health deadline.

Wedding photos.

Your doctor’s recommendation to lift weights before your next physical.

A bad injury.

All of these things likely motivated you to move, but what happened after that deadline passed?

If exercise isn’t habituated and eventually appreciated as a form of self-care, motivation will vanish.

You may have only thought to exercise as part of a personal milestone you wanted to achieve, and now your willingness to go to the gym on a whim has diminished.

Motivation, then, is a fickle thing to rely on and be upset over.

Research suggests that developing a growth mindset can make a significant difference in how you approach exercise and develop discipline.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash

A growth mindset means playing the long game with your fitness, and trusting that the happiest version of yourself can be developed through effort and persistence.

By adopting a growth mindset, you evolve out of the vicious cycle of training for one singular short-term goal and learn to enjoy the little things while chasing longevity.

It’s much like looking at the stars in a non-light-polluted area and contemplating how large our solar system is, or reaching the summit of a climb and looking down at how small everything beneath you is.

Both perspectives give you a sense of how humbling life is, and how short-sighted goal-setting can, at times, be a farce.

Beating “Lack of Motivation” To The Punch

Building a support system is crucial for maintaining discipline and overcoming doubt about your health.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals and aspirations can provide the encouragement and motivation we need.

I’ve said before on my Instagram that a gym buddy is the best hack for fitness you can have that costs little to nothing

Alternatively, you can share your journey with friends, and family, or even join fitness communities where you can find guidance and support.

Remember, discipline and motivation are not mutually exclusive.

Discipline sets the foundation, while motivation ignites the flame.

When you have a discipline/accountability system — a friend, an app, or a trainer — to hold you firm to your commitment, lacking motivation won’t matter as much.

And it’ll make the days where you do have motivation feel much more fired-up.

Don’t worry if motivation is low. That’s good.

That means your brain is ebbing and flowing as it’s chemically supposed to.

By cultivating discipline and finding different sources of motivation, we create a powerful synergy that propels us forward, even when doubt tries to derail us.

Forgive the writer in me for constantly suggesting this, but…

When trying to cultivate a mindset of discipline and you feel exasperated by the task of consistency, consider starting a journal to remind yourself why you started.

🔎 One Quote From Chris Williamson to End The Week

“I’m pretty sure that these — right now — are the Golden Years.” I think that it’s quite likely, when you look back, that these times right now will be the ones that you cherish.

So you approach them with joy, and care, and presence. Requisite joy, and care, and presence. Basically, just don’t wait.

Life is happening right now, it’s there for you to enjoy, it’s there for you to take. Delayed gratification in the extreme results in no gratification. This is something that I need to permanently remind myself of on a minute-to-minute basis.

- Chris Williamson, 15 Lessons from 800 [Podcast] Episodes, Modern Wisdom.

Have an amazing weekend.