Motivation, Discipline, and Resistance

Welcome to The Rezich Report, our monthly newsletter offering a deep dive on a variety of subjects such as behavioral performance, emotional intelligence (EQ) growth, change management, and much more. This week we're delving into motivation; what it is, if it's useful, and how to manage it.

We can all agree that motivation is NOT our trusty side-kick who always has our back...

In fact, motivation fluctuates so dramatically that I would argue we should view it similar to a puppy; unbelievably cute and cuddly when we first encounter it, but pretty soon it grows razor-sharp teeth and has a mind of its own.

Quite often we subconsciously fall into resistance's trap by waiting (hoping, really) for that spark of motivation to magically rise from the ashes of undisciplined habits, and we expect that the tiny spark will somehow allow us to do that load of laundry we have been procrastinating, or finish that darn dissertation that has gone on for far too many years.

Have you been motivated to get out of bed every morning?

Highly unlikely.

Have you been disciplined to get out of bed every morning?

Yes.

I'm here to tell you that if you've fallen victim to motivation's maniacal trap, there is a way out!

DISCIPLINE IS RESISTANCE'S WORST ENEMY

The hardest part of everything is the very first step. Remember this, because resistance HATES it. Don't believe me? Try it out this week with that load of laundry that's been on the chair for days. I guarantee you that the hardest part of doing it will be folding the first pair of pants. This goes for everything; the hardest part of going on a run is getting your shoes on and taking that first step out the door. For all of my musician friends, we all know by now that the hardest part of practicing is playing the very first note.

Practicing self-discipline destroys the roots of resistance before they are allowed to be watered by motivation, procrastination, bad habits, etc. Below is the definition of discipline for that extra kick in the pants:

Discipline: The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, with punishment or other undesired consequences for those failing to comply.

You set your rules, and only you need to follow them. Will you? or will you allow resistance to suffocate your dreams and desires?