Motivation or Discipline

A question I was recently asked was simple on the surface: When will you develop the motivation to start going to the gym and working on your health? While I did not have an immediate answer, it led me to reflect on a broader and more important issue - what truly matters more in achieving long-term health and fitness: motivation or discipline?

In my view, motivation can be a useful starting point, but it is inherently fragile. It can be influenced by circumstances, emotions, external validation, or short-term results. Motivation can ignite action, but it rarely sustains it. Discipline, on the other hand, is what ensures continuity when motivation fades.

I say this with the benefit of personal experience. At various points in my life, I have been highly motivated to work on my health and reduce weight. During those phases, I made meaningful progress and achieved noticeable results. However, each time an obstacle arose - whether a setback, a disruption, or a loss of momentum - the motivation weakened, and the entire plan eventually unraveled. I have observed similar patterns in others as well.

In contrast, I look at my friend Prashant Joshi as a clear example of discipline in action. He made a conscious decision to improve his fitness, overall health, and muscle development. He structured his diet, committed to training under a highly experienced trainer, and followed through consistently. While motivation undoubtedly played a role at the outset, what truly stands out is his discipline.

He adheres to his routine regardless of social settings, holidays, or business travel. Where even highly motivated individuals occasionally deviate during gatherings or indulgent moments, he remains consistent. He avoids food and drinks that would compromise his progress and maintains his workout schedule without exception. Over time, this discipline has translated into visible and sustained results.

This contrast reinforces a belief I hold strongly: motivation may start the journey, but discipline determines whether the journey continues. Discipline enables persistence, consistency, and steady progress - qualities that are essential for achieving long-term goals, particularly in health and fitness.

For these reasons, I believe discipline is not just more important than motivation; it is the foundation upon which lasting change is built.

And for the record, I have neither!! 😜