Have you ever pictured the person you want to become? You’re not alone. I’ve been there—imagining myself as someone completely different from who I was. I envisioned a confident, focused version of me. Someone who works out daily, makes her own meals, drinks three litres of water every day, and takes complete care of her body. She’s the girl who knows when to say no—to cravings, drinks, parties—because her vision of success is too precious to compromise.
But that’s all it was for the longest time: a vision.
I’d make plans, get excited, and then let the excitement fade. A minor inconvenience or a tough day at work was all it took to throw me off course. I’d tell myself, “I’ll start tomorrow,” and then tomorrow would turn into next week, next month, and so on. I was stuck in a loop, waiting for motivation to strike again. Sound familiar?
If you’re nodding along, I’m here to tell you something important: Motivation is not the answer.
Why Motivation Isn’t Enough
Motivation is a feeling, and like all feelings, it’s fleeting. It comes in waves—exciting and energizing one moment, gone the next. You can’t build the life you dream of on something so unstable. Trust me, I tried.
I relied on that rush of motivation to kickstart my goals, only to find myself back at square one every time life got tough. A bad day would knock me down, and I’d stay there until the next wave of motivation came along. It was exhausting, disheartening, and frankly, it wasn’t working.
So, what changed?
The Power of Discipline
Towards the end of 2024, I realized something crucial: the only way to become that version of myself was to stop relying on how I felt and start relying on what I knew I needed to do. Enter discipline.
Discipline is showing up for yourself, no matter how you feel. It’s doing the work even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or downright hard. Discipline doesn’t care if you’re tired, stressed, or tempted. It’s a decision, not a feeling. And that decision is what changes everything.
I told myself, This is what you HAVE to do. If you don’t, you can forget about becoming that version of yourself. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it was the truth I needed to hear. Success, in any form, is built on consistent actions, not fleeting feelings.
How I Started Taking Baby Steps
Discipline doesn’t mean overhauling your life overnight. It means starting small and staying consistent. Here’s how I began:
- Set Non-Negotiables: I started with a few simple rules—drink three litres of water every day, move my body for at least 30 minutes, and cook at least one meal at home. These small actions became the foundation of my routine.
- Talk to Yourself Like a Friend: When I wanted to skip a workout or indulge in unhealthy cravings, I didn’t beat myself up. Instead, I reminded myself why I started and how far I’d come. Encouraging self-talk made discipline feel like an act of self-love, not punishment.
- Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Instead of obsessing over results, I learned to celebrate the act of showing up. Every workout, every meal prep session, and every glass of water was a win.
Why You Can Do This Too
The beauty of discipline is that it’s available to everyone. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time or the right mood. You just need to start. Remember, small, consistent steps add up to big changes over time.
If you’re feeling demotivated right now, take comfort in this: you don’t need to rely on motivation to move forward. You have something far more powerful within you—the ability to choose discipline, one day at a time.
So, picture that version of yourself again. The confident, focused, successful person you dream of becoming. She’s not as far away as you think. She’s waiting for you on the other side of discipline.
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