by John Mariotti

“Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.”

― Zig Ziglar 

Zig did have it right. Motivation is not permanent. It ebbs and flows, comes and goes. Some days I am just not motivated. I don’t want to go to the gym, eat right, or read uplifting material. Like a toddler, “I just don’t wanna!”

Do you know what is permanent? Discipline. Discipline is what gets me up in the morning when I really want to stay in bed. Discipline is what puts me in the gym even when I am not feeling it. Discipline is what has me doing the things that need to be done even though I really have no desire or motivation to do them.

Great, discipline. Where can I get some of that? You won’t find it in a book, a speech, or an accountability partner, although all those things might be indispensable to your ongoing success. No, discipline comes from a different place.

Discipline resides within you. There is a well of discipline just waiting for you to tap into it. But just like the difference between a lake and a well you can’t just walk over and grab some. You are going to have to dig in and discover it for yourself. It starts, as so many things do, with a decision and a commitment. It requires an overblown sense of integrity for yourself. You wouldn’t lie to your mom or dad, your spiritual advisor, or your higher power, so don’t lie to yourself.

You decided and you committed to going to the gym 5 out of 7 days. So, go to the gym. You decided and you committed to getting up at 4:30 am every weekday. So, get out of bed at 4:30 am. You decided and you committed to eating healthy clean food. So do that.

That is what discipline is…a decision and a commitment and the integrity to yourself to hew to that decision and commitment. Simple, not easy.