By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD 

When it comes to achieving a goal, whether related to weight loss, healthy eating, or physical activity, both motivation and discipline play a role. Although these two concepts are often used interchangeably, they are different and support goals in distinctive ways. 

Read on to learn more about the difference between the two and how to rely on discipline when motivation starts to waver. 

Your “Why” and “How” 

Motivation can be defined in many ways, but it’s often discussed in the context of wellness as the reason you have for setting a goal — your “why.” For example, you may be motivated to lose weight so you can improve your type 2 diabetes and prevent long-term complications. Alternatively, your motivation may come from wanting to be physically in shape to play with your grandchildren. 

On the other hand, discipline refers more to the strategies and techniques you use to achieve a goal — your “how.” Motivation may be what sparked your healthy eating journey in the first place, but discipline encompasses the meal planning, grocery shopping, and other habits you develop to eat healthy meals. 

How to Rely on Discipline 

Motivation is an inspiring feeling that may come on somewhat randomly or as a result of reading a book, taking a jog, talking with a family member, or seeing a healthy recipe on Instagram. It’s common for motivation to come in waves and to feel unmotivated at times. 

When it’s hard to muster up the motivation to accomplish your goals, that’s where discipline comes into play. If you work at self-discipline consistently until you develop habits, you can continue completing the tasks you know will get you to your goal even when you lack motivation.  

For example, if drinking more water is one of your goals, capitalize on your initial motivation to make a change and start by drinking a glass when you wake up every day. Keep it up, doing your best to avoid skipping a day, until it becomes second nature. Eventually, your discipline in drinking water every morning will be so ingrained in your daily routine that you will be able to continue this practice even when you’re feeling unmotivated. 

Over time, you can incorporate more small tasks into your daily routine. After you master drinking a glass of water each morning, try taking a short walk every day over your lunch break. Once that is part of your routine, work on a new habit, such as putting together a weight loss meal plan for the week every Sunday. 

If you are interested in working on discipline, it can be helpful to reflect on long-term goals and clearly identify the steps you can take to reach them. Check out our blog post on setting SMART goals as a place to start! 

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