Understanding Motivation, Resistance, and Discipline: A Holistic Approach to Taking Action
Clients often come to me with a common struggle: low motivation. They share how they want to achieve certain goals, have tasks they know would benefit them, or even dream about taking on exciting new ventures. Yet, they feel stuck, unable to muster the motivation to take the first step. This challenge begs the question: what is motivation, and why does it seem so elusive?
What Is Motivation?
Motivation is the driving force that transforms inspiration into action. It’s the spark that makes pursuing a goal feel natural and exciting. When you’re motivated, the path from thought to action is smooth. You might feel energized, enthusiastic, or even eager to take the necessary steps to bring your ideas to life.
Throughout the day, countless inspirations cross your mind. In each moment, you make choices: follow the inspiration, prioritize other tasks, or prepare for action. For example, you might finish a client session before tackling the brilliant blog idea that just came to you. Or, you might need to complete preparatory tasks—like putting your kids to bed—before diving into that book you’ve been eager to finish.
But what happens when inspiration strikes, and instead of moving forward, you hit a wall? Maybe you feel drained, distracted, or overwhelmed. This is resistance at work.
Understanding Resistance
Resistance is like an internal brake that prevents you from translating inspiration into motivation. It can manifest as self-doubt, avoidance, or fatigue. What contributes to resistance? Often, it stems from deeply held beliefs, such as:
Doubts about your ability to succeed.
Feeling unworthy of achieving your goal.
Fears about the effort, discomfort, or time required.
Beliefs about the impossibility of the goal for you or in general.
Resistance happens in an instant, as your brain processes inspiration through the lens of past experiences and beliefs. The good news? Resistance can be challenged and overcome.
How to Address Resistance
The key to dismantling resistance is awareness. When you catch yourself resisting, lean into it with curiosity. Ask yourself: what beliefs or fears are creating this resistance? Identifying these factors allows you to address them directly. For instance:
If you’re struggling to write a book because a third-grade teacher once told you you’re terrible at writing, explore that memory. Challenge its validity by looking for evidence to the contrary or simply imagine telling that teacher to “shove off.” Clearing even one negative belief can significantly reduce resistance and reignite your motivation.
It’s worth noting that resistance is rarely caused by a single belief. However, tackling just one layer can often create enough momentum to move forward.
The Role of Discipline
Discipline is the practice of taking consistent action, regardless of how you feel. It’s a valuable tool, often used to push through moments of low motivation. However, discipline alone is not a long-term solution. It can function as a temporary bridge while you work through underlying resistance, but over-reliance on discipline can lead to burnout and inflexibility.
For example, someone who relies solely on discipline to maintain a workout routine might push through an injury to stick to their schedule. This approach can backfire, leading to a prolonged recovery period that ultimately derails their fitness goals.
Balancing Motivation, Resistance, and Discipline
Discipline and habits are essential components of productivity, but they’re not the whole picture. Life requires flexibility, and addressing resistance allows you to adapt without losing momentum. Consider this:
Inspiration is the spark
Motivation provides the initial drive.
Discipline keeps you moving when motivation wanes.
Addressing resistance ensures you can sustain progress without unnecessary struggle.
If you rely solely on discipline, you risk falling into a common trap: missing a day or two of your routine and feeling like you’ve “fallen off the wagon.” Resistance might then amplify feelings of guilt or inadequacy, making it even harder to get back on track. In contrast, when you combine discipline with a mindful approach to resistance, you build resilience and achieve more sustainable progress.
A Holistic Path to Productivity
To truly thrive, you need a balance of motivation, discipline, and resistance-awareness. When resistance arises, see it as an opportunity to learn about yourself and grow. Lean into it, challenge it, and transform it. With this approach, taking action becomes not only easier but also more fulfilling and aligned with your true potential.
So, the next time you feel stuck, pause. Tune in to what’s holding you back, and give yourself permission to move forward—whether through motivation, discipline, or a deeper understanding of your resistance. Your goals are within reach, and every step forward brings you closer to them.