Sponsored by

Friend,

Motivation gets more credit than it deserves.

It's not something to solely rely on.

Motivation tends to fail you.

But discipline is what'll keep you going when times get tough.

Consider the last time you started a new job, activity, book, or project.

You were fired up to get started, but what happens after one, two, or three weeks later?

You fall off.

Motivation is important, don't get me wrong.

It's the thing that gets you started in the first place.

The problem is that this initial push eventually wears off and it's insufficient to keep you going when you first hit a roadblock. 

The question is… how do we develop discipline?

When it comes to achieving goals, the most critical step is to outline your daily task list.

This list is often referred to as a series of "micro-goals" that are directly tied to your broader goals.

These aren't tasks that can be completed once and then checked off.

They require daily, constant attention.

Say your aim is to lose 10 pounds in the next three months, there are a number of things you must do every day to be successful.

Things like:

Ensuring that you have healthy food prepared or readily available.

Drinking enough water to maintain regular bodily processes.

Getting enough sleep to prepare your body and mind for the next day.

Exercising to maintain a high enough activity level to lose weight.

If you make a mistake in one or more of these areas, your chances of success are considerably reduced.

and you do this enough times, discipline becomes rooted in your habits...

It's fairly common knowledge that it takes an average of 2-3 months to create a new habit (good or bad).

Sometimes it's even shorter.

Whatever habit you choose to develop or improve, remember that any significant change will require daily work.

And by daily, I mean it.

Even on the days you don't feel like doing it.

That may sound intense at first, but honestly, after those first couple of months, it becomes second nature.

And when you do what needs to be done without the motivation to do so, you feel so much more fulfilled afterwards.

Remember this:

We're a reward-seeking species.

Sometimes the prize is enormous: an increase in income, a job promotion, or even a gold medal.

Most of the time, the reward is merely completing the task, and finishing the work for the day, only to repeat it the next day.

That has a certain beauty to it.

Because it’s so simple yet so rewarding.

The satisfaction of knowing you did what you set out that day is worth more than any other form of cheap dopamine.

It’s mental clarity.

And it can be just as accessible as the cheap dopamine if you're to-do list is a series of micro-goals as previously discussed.

Discipline sounds hard.

But the reality is, it doesn't have to be.

Habits build routine.

Routine builds momentum.

Momentum builds discipline.

This way it becomes effortless to remain “motivated” in whatever you do.

Friend, I appreciate you taking the time to read this.

If you made it this far, I want to share with you 10% off my Productivity Pro Planner.

If you’re serious about building routines and keeping track of your habits, this is the all-in-one system to organize your life and regain control.

It's great having goals, but most don't come to fruition unless you're actively monitoring your progress and taking action to achieve them.

Talk soon,

Mason from New Mentalities

Visual-based newsletter on business and tech

We explain the latest business, finance, and tech news with visuals and data. 📊

All in one free newsletter that takes < 5 minutes to read. 🗞

Save time and become more informed today.👇