"No cuentes con la motivación. Cuenta con la disciplina."

Sometimes, motivation just isn't enough. It’s like that fleeting burst of energy you get after chugging an espresso—brief and unsustainable. The core idea here is that while motivation might get you started, it’s discipline that keeps you going. Let's break it down.

Historically speaking, this sentiment has been echoed by countless figures throughout time. Think about all those New Year’s resolutions that fall apart by February. Why? Because they rely heavily on that initial surge of motivation. You wake up on January 1st, pumped and ready to transform your life. But by the time you're in the grind of everyday life, the excitement wears off. This is where discipline kicks in—or should kick in. Discipline is the habit of doing what needs to be done, regardless of how you feel.

Now, let’s talk real life. Picture a marathon runner. On race day, the adrenaline and crowd energy can push them forward. But what about those grueling months leading up to the marathon? The cold mornings when their bed is just too comfy, or the rainy evenings when they’d rather be inside with a hot drink? Motivation might get them out the door a few times, but it’s discipline—consistent, sometimes monotonous effort—that gets them race-ready.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by building small habits. Want to write a book? Don’t wait for the muse to strike. Set a daily word count and stick to it. Discipline is like a muscle—the more you train it, the stronger it gets. Make a schedule and stick to it. Reward yourself for sticking to your plan, but don’t beat yourself up if you slip. Just get back on track.

Imagine this scenario: You’ve decided to get fit. The first week, you’re buzzing with motivation. You’re at the gym every day, eating salads, feeling unstoppable. Then week two rolls around. Work gets hectic, and you miss a workout. Then another. Soon, you’re back to old habits. But if you have discipline, you don’t rely solely on the motivation. You’ve got a plan. Maybe you decide to go to the gym three times a week, no matter what. You’ve got a friend to keep you accountable. You set out your workout clothes the night before. You make it as easy as possible to stick to your plan.

There’s an old story about a writer who was struggling to finish his novel. Every day, he’d wait for the perfect moment—for inspiration to strike. But it rarely did. Then one day, he decided to sit down at his desk at the same time every day and write, even if he felt uninspired. Some days were productive, others weren’t. But over time, the pages piled up, and he finished his novel. It wasn’t motivation that got him there—it was discipline.

So next time you’re tempted to wait for motivation, remember: it’s fleeting. Discipline, on the other hand, is reliable. Build it, nurture it, and you’ll find that you can achieve things you never thought possible.