The Myth of Motivation: Why Organization and Discipline Matter More

“We will motivate you!” proclaimed the slogan in a gym I worked at some years ago. In fact, nearly every gym I’ve worked in since has echoed the same promise.

Even back then, this never made much sense to me. How do you motivate someone else? Motivation is an intrinsic quality; it always has been. No one is going to motivate you to do anything.

That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news:

You don’t need anyone to motivate you.

If you’ve started something – getting rid of or preventing injuries, enhancing your athletic performance – you’re already motivated. That’s good. But don’t rely on that motivation—it’s just the 1% that gets you started.

Whether you finish what you started—the other 99%—has nothing to do with motivation.

The Role of Discipline

Now, it’s about something else: discipline.

But aren’t disciplined people just motivated?

Of course they are – just like the undisciplined ones. Motivation doesn’t differentiate between the two.

So, what does?

The Power of Organization

In my experience – and this is crucial, so listen carefully – it’s organization. Structure or schedule – call it what you will.

I’ll give you an example. I observe my best clients. They are always the ones who are super predictable. They show up on the same days and at the same times, week after week, month after month, year after year. Like death and taxes, they are super predictable. Any deviation from this, in my experience, spells trouble.

That’s organization in practice.

Cutting Through the Chaos

Life is chaotic and unpredictable. It drains people of energy—both physical and mental. But if you can introduce some structure into your life, it will cut right through the chaos.

It simplifies the path ahead, making your goals seem closer, clearer, and more attainable. This kind of structure is easy to follow—even when motivation fades, which it inevitably will for everyone.

Want to Finish What You Started?

Decide what your priorities are. Then, get organized.