Motivation…DISCIPLINE
4 years ago, for a brief time, a lot of people’s wish was granted! The world shut down, and poof, we had more time! But then came the sad realization…we aren’t getting all those things done that were always neglected because we just didn’t have the time. We did however find time to eat more, drink more, and value our opinion’s a shit ton more.
So then the question. Is it really about how much time we have? Or is it more about what we do with that time?
Back when we were complaining about not having time to exercise or cook because we were always on the go. Driving kids to practices, games, recitals, or having work meetings/calls. This was all done by choice. No one signed our kids up for an activity every day of the week for us, we did it. No one forces us to devote too much time, energy, and attention to work, we choose to do it.
“Wait, you don’t understand, my job requires those hours and for me to be on call all the time.” Then unless you love it, get a different job. “Well I can’t” Yes you can! “I have bills, a family, responsibilities” These are all thing you created and all things that you are in control of. The bigger question is, if you’re unhappy and want these things to change, are you willing to do what it takes to change them?
I’m not saying it’s easy, but our lives can be prison cells of our own creation. If you aren’t happy with where you are at or the direction you are going, you are responsible for changing it! No one is coming to save you. Please know that I understand that this is easier said than done. But I hope you all know that I would never give anyone any advice that I have not or do not followed myself. I’m 46 and still in the process of building my career. It’s the hardest and scariest thing I have ever done and my finish line is nowhere in sight.
I used to think that so many people were more successful than me because they had been at their jobs/careers for so many years, had big fancy houses, drive nice cars. I now just think the process is taking me longer. On the hand, I can say that I do a job that I am crazy passionate about, I don’t have a boss, and the journey I’m on has and will continue to make me a better person.
If there is something you want, decide what it is, make a plan, and work on that shit EVERYDAY. Oh, and fuck your feelings! If you rely on how you feel, you’ll always be where you’re at. We live in a time where the edges have all been rounded and we think we were meant to be comfortable all the time. I love the Jordan Peterson quote, “become a MOSTER, and then learn to control it.” Monsters aren’t born they are created and It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.
Along those same lines, “Fuck” motivation, It’s fickle and unreliable and isn’t worth your time. Better to cultivate DISCIPLINE than rely on motivation. Force yourself to do things. Force yourself to get out of bed. Force yourself to work when you don’t want to. Schedule your workouts, plan your meals, and treat your goals like your life depends on it, because it does!
Motivation is fleeting, but easy to rely on because it requires no concentrated effort to get. Motivation comes to you, you don’t even have to chase after it, but it’s unreliable. HABITS and DISCIPLINE are reliable because you control them. They are the harder path, but they are the way. “Motivation is fleeting, FUCK motivation, stay HARD!” ~David Goggins
DAVID GOGGINS *WARNING* This may hurt your feelings
In Strength,
Eric Karls M.Ed.
Chief Awesomeness Engineer
Certified Level 3 CrossFit Coach
CrossFit Conductor
3801 Nicholasville Centre Dr, Lexington, KY 40503, United States of America