Social Media Motivation needs to be replaced with the development of discipline.

By Craig Ballantyne and Daniel Woodrum 

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last… Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

In today’s world, we flock to social media for quick hits of inspiration to get us through moments of weakness.

We cling to profound statements posted on top of bucket-list-style photos, while we think little of the additional skills needed for lasting perseverance and success.

Motivation can help. It can get you going. But like Zig said, it wears off.

We’ve all experienced it at a seminar, a rally, or even a Sunday in church. Someone tells an inspirational story of transformation, and for the next hour, you fantasize about making big changes in your life.

But soon the motivation wears off. Something else catches your attention and you simply go back to being the person you were before the jolt.

Motivation will fail you almost every time because it simply doesn’t last. We can only remain excited for so long without substance.

I’ll admit, I post, like, and share motivational quotes on social media, but not because I’m looking for a lifeline. Instead, these nuggets of wisdom reinforce my belief that everyone can find their path to business and personal success, make more money, gain more fitness, and work smarter.

There’s one old-school element of success that trumps motivation every single day of the week. It simply can’t be defeated.

Discipline.

Discipline is (or should be) the new motivation.

It wasn’t motivation that brought the New England Patriots back from the brink of defeat in Super Bowl LI, it was the discipline they displayed in every practice preparing for the big game.

It wasn’t motivation that allowed Patton’s troops to take Europe in World War II, it was the discipline instilled in his army through regimented rules and systems.

It wasn’t motivation that fueled Oprah’s rise from poverty in rural Mississippi to the world’s most successful female entertainer, it was the discipline of doing the work every day when no one else would.

Discipline means you wake up at the same time every day, whether it’s 4 a.m. or 8 a.m., even when you don’t want to.

Discipline means you focus on what matters and do the work even when you’re tired.

Discipline means you sacrifice instant gratification for your long-term goals.

Give me a man or woman who is disciplined and I will take them over someone who is motivated any day

Motivation alone will fail you in all of the above situations. Motivation wanes, like willpower, and is easily depleted over the course of the day. But not discipline.

Discipline is the backbone in the body of success. It holds you together on the rocky road to success. Motivation merely greases the wheels. But without discipline, everything falls apart.

If you truly want to make a change in life, you need discipline. But discipline doesn’t mean punishment. Instead, it is the path to true freedom.

How do you get disciplined?

It starts with “Why”.

• Identify what matters. This could be creating more time with loved ones or gaining more wealth through a course like How to Make 7 Figures.
  
• Build rules for your life so that your focus is devoted entirely to the values and actions that really matter. Your rules make it easier to stick to powerful routines and life-changing habits.
• Then, over time, discipline becomes automatic.

You’ll become more consistent than you’ve ever been at any other time in your life, and rely less on willpower.

In essence, you won’t need daily motivation.

A mentor of mine, Dave Kekich, taught me that “life’s easy when you live it the hard way…and hard if you try to live it the easy way.”

Success is simple once you understand how hard it is…and it’s hard if you think it is easy. Bathing yourself in social media motivation at times of weakness, and relying on it alone, doesn’t make living any easier.

Instead, discipline allows you to make the right decisions for your right life. Discipline aligns your actions with your goals so that you can finally achieve your dreams.