Discipline over motivation…
A few years back, I saw this quote written on a napkin pinned to the wall in some diner kitchen. It was so random, but it caught my eye:
"Discipline will take you places motivation can't."
At first, it was just words. But for some reason, it stuck with me. I was about a year into my CrossFit journey at the time, feeling a little lost. CrossFit junkies talk a big game about "community," but I never really got it. I felt like I was on the outside looking in—a vibe I still catch sometimes, to be honest. Chalk it up to moving and looking differently than most people.
On top of that, I was struggling to find motivation. I had a job I couldn’t stand, and by the time gym time rolled around, I was mentally and physically wiped. I didn’t want to go.
Then, there was that napkin. I wouldn’t call it some divine experience (though maybe it kinda was…), but something about that quote made me stop, take out my phone, and save it. The next time I saw it, it clicked: I didn’t need motivation—I needed discipline.
I didn’t have to want to go to the gym; I just had to show up. My body needed movement, and my brain needed a stress outlet. That shift in mindset changed everything. Discipline became my foundation. Now, I preach it to anyone who’ll listen: Discipline over motivation, every time.
Here’s the thing: motivation is fleeting. Discipline and consistency? That’s where the magic happens. Consistency doesn’t mean giving 100% every single day; it means showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s the small, regular actions that build progress, not those rare, all-out efforts.
Discipline grows from consistency. At first, you’ve got to remind yourself to show up—it takes effort. But over time, it becomes a habit, something you just do without overthinking. That’s when it really becomes a part of your life.
This weekend, for example, I really didn’t want to do my 10K run. By the first kilometer, I was still trying to convince myself to turn around or make it an easy day. My excuse? I was tired. No rest day before. Blah, blah, blah. And honestly, taking it easy would’ve been fine! Not every workout has to be a PR. I showed up—that’s what mattered most.
But then, consistency kicked in. I stopped arguing with myself, and I had two choices:
Take it easy and drag it out, or
Stick to the plan and run the 10K as best as I could.
Spoiler: I went with option two. And you know what? The motivation to finish strong didn’t even show up until I was deep into the run.
That’s the lesson: You don’t need motivation to start. Sometimes, it’s the last thing to show up. Consistency and discipline will carry you until it does.
So, the next time you don’t feel like doing the thing? Just show up. That’s half the battle, and it’s always worth it.