The concept of motivation is frequently romanticized. Social media posts, TED talks, and pop psychology often present motivation as the key to achieving success, fitness, or personal goals. However, scientific research shows that motivation is an inherently unstable emotion. It fluctuates based on numerous factors such as mood, environment, and even sleep quality.
A study by Baumeister et al. (2007) demonstrated that self-regulation and energy levels significantly influence one’s ability to maintain motivation. In other words, when energy is low, motivation tends to collapse. This makes motivation an unreliable source of long-term success.
Discipline as a Stable Foundation
In contrast to the transient nature of motivation, discipline is about creating structure and routine. Discipline i