Discipline vs Motivation: The Key to Business Success

In today’s discussion, let’s shift slightly away from the usual topics like SEO, search engine marketing, and email marketing. Instead, we’ll focus more on the mental side of business because it’s something that many of us, including myself, struggle with. Specifically, we’re going to explore the concept of motivation versus discipline, determining which one is more crucial for achieving faster success in business.

Motivation vs. Discipline: What’s the Difference?

One crucial differentiation between motivation and discipline often goes unnoticed. When I first encountered this idea, it truly opened my eyes and changed my mindset on how discipline outperforms motivation consistently. This revelation came from Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL who is an accomplished author and a frequent speaker on various platforms such as YouTube and podcasts.

Jocko Willink’s Perspective

Jocko’s philosophy centers around finding discipline within oneself. Even on days when you’re not feeling up to it, lack the motivation to get up and work, or face multiple challenges, discipline urges you to push through nonetheless. It’s about knocking on those doors, making cold calls, and completing deliverables for your clients. The underlying principle here is that discipline drives action regardless of emotional states.

The Emotional Inclination of Motivation

Motivation is inherently tied to emotions. It’s an inclination that can fluctuate based on how we feel at any given moment. This fluidity makes motivation unreliable because it ebbs and flows. You can’t depend on motivation to always be present when you need to perform tasks. This is where discipline steps in.

The Power of Discipline

Discipline is about doing what needs to be done, irrespective of feelings. Here’s a powerful clip from Jocko that encapsulates this concept: –

Jocko Willink: “Motivation is a feeling that comes and goes, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s there or not. Discipline is infinitely more important. So no matter how you feel, get up and do what you’re supposed to do. That’s it. And that’s discipline. That’s not motivation. If you only did what you were supposed to do when you were motivated to do it, that’s leaving it to chance. But if you’re disciplined, you go do what you’re supposed to do. That’s the way it works.”

This insight changed my perspective significantly. It underscored the importance of showing up every day, focusing on your tasks, and pushing everything else to the background. Though it’s tough—due to life’s various pulls like family obligations, unexpected issues like car trouble, and other commitments—discipline helps navigate these hurdles more efficiently.

Applying Discipline to Your Business

Having the discipline to push through tough days is crucial no matter what kind of business you run. Whether you have a digital marketing agency, a nail salon, or any other type of business, discipline is a vital component of reaching the next level of success.

Show Up Everyday and Do The Work

This message is essential: consistently showing up and doing what’s necessary despite emotional fluctuations will propel you further than relying on motivation alone. Discipline is the engine that drives sustainable success in business.