“Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”
– John C. Maxwell
Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) highlights the importance of decent work and economic growth. Many of us think of this goal in terms of governments, industries, or businesses. But it also starts with individuals, especially students like us who will soon enter the workforce. The way we study, build habits, and prepare for challenges today will shape the kind of professionals we become tomorrow.
That’s exactly why the whole “discipline vs. motivation” discussion matters so much. We often ask ourselves what really drives success. Is it the spark of motivation or the steady force of discipline? t’s not just about self-improvement; it’s about preparing ourselves to make a meaningful impact on society.
Motivation: The Spark That Starts the Journey
Motivation is that initial spark that gets us to take action. It’s the excitement you feel on the first day of a new semester, full of possibility. It’s the dream of landing a great job or a perfect internship. It’s the energy that surges through you after an inspiring talk or when you read about someone’s success story.
And it’s a powerful force. Motivation gives us direction and turns ideas into reality. It’s what pushes you to finally sign up for the gym, commit to learning a new skill, or open your textbooks for that big exam. It’s the courage to take that very first, crucial step.
But motivation has a weakness. It does not last. The excitement of a new semester can fade by midterm exams. The dream of securing a job can feel distant when assignments and deadlines pile up. We may feel inspired one day and completely drained the next. Motivation is like a wave. It rises high but also falls quickly.
Research shows that many people struggle to sustain long-term habits because they rely only on motivation. Think of New Year’s resolutions. Most resolutions fail within weeks because motivation fades once the initial excitement is gone. For students, this means that depending only on motivation will not carry us through an entire degree or prepare us for the demands of the workplace.
Discipline: The Fuel That Keeps You Burning
Think of it this way, if motivation is the spark, then discipline is the fuel that keeps the fire burning. It’s what gets you to show up and do the work on the days you’re just not feeling it. It is about following a routine and keeping promises to ourselves.
As students, discipline might mean studying at a fixed time each day. It might mean completing assignments before deadlines, attending lectures regularly, or practicing a skill consistently. Discipline is not about excitement; it is about commitment.
The strength of discipline is that it does not depend on our emotions. It allows us to move forward even when we feel tired, stressed, or unmotivated. Over time, disciplined actions become habits. Habits shape who we are. This is why discipline is often described as the foundation of long-term success.
Employers value discipline because it creates trust. A disciplined worker is reliable. They complete tasks on time. They deliver consistent results. These qualities increase productivity, which supports economic growth. In this way, discipline connects directly to SDG 8.
We can see the power of discipline in the lives of successful people. Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis players in history, her incredible tennis career wasn’t built on motivation alone. It was built on showing up every single day, for years, even when she was injured, exhausted, or under huge pressure. That’s discipline in action.
The same goes for J.K. Rowling. She faced rejection after rejection before Harry Potter was ever published. If she had waited for motivation to strike after each “no,” the series might never have existed. But discipline is what kept her writing and rewriting until she finally succeeded.
Why We Need Both?
Motivation and discipline are not opposites. They are partners. Motivation gives us the “why.” It reminds us why we started and what we want to achieve. Discipline gives us the “how.” It is the method that keeps us on track when the initial excitement fades.
If we rely only on motivation, we may start many things but rarely finish them. If we rely only on discipline, we may keep working but eventually burn out, forgetting why we’re working so hard in the first place. Success happens when we let them work together.
Think of a student who feels a surge of motivation to learn coding after discovering the amazing opportunities in tech. That spark is essential! But without the discipline of daily practice and pushing through frustrating bugs, that motivation will likely fizzle out. It’s the discipline that transforms that initial interest into a solid skill. Motivation opens the door, but discipline ensures we walk through it.
Building Discipline as Students
Discipline is not something we are born with. It is something we can build. The process begins with small actions. If we want to study more effectively, we can start by setting aside a fixed time each day. If we want to improve our writing, we can practice for a few minutes every morning. These small actions build consistency. Over time, consistency becomes habit, and habit becomes discipline.
Another important step is to track progress. When we see results, even small ones, we feel encouraged to continue. This creates a cycle of improvement. Motivation gives us the initial energy, and discipline turns that energy into long-term success.
It is also helpful to remind ourselves of our goals. Motivation can be reignited when we reconnect with our purpose. Maybe it’s by watching an inspiring talk, reading about someone we admire, or just taking a moment to remember why we started in the first place. That can give us a real boost of energy.
Balancing Discipline and Motivation for Sustainable Growth
The habits we develop as students are directly connected to SDG 8. A disciplined student is more likely to become a reliable employee. A motivated student is more likely to be innovative and ambitious. Together, these qualities create a workforce that is productive, sustainable and resilient.
Sustainable economic growth needs people who can work hard, adapt to change, and never stop learning. Decent work isn’t just about showing up; it’s about having the discipline to deliver consistent results and the motivation to find real purpose in what you do. By balancing discipline and motivation in our student lives, we prepare ourselves to contribute to a stronger and more sustainable economy.
Choosing Discipline for the Long Run
Motivation gives us the spark to begin. Discipline gives us the strength to continue. Both are essential for success in academics, in careers, and in life. As students, we must learn to balance the two. Motivation inspires us. Discipline shapes us. Together, they prepare us for decent work and sustainable growth.
As part of “The Student 360°,” let us take this as a challenge. Let us choose one small area of our lives where we depend too much on motivation. It may be studying, practicing a skill, or managing time. Let us add discipline to that area. Let us commit to one small habit every day, even when we do not feel motivated.
By doing this, we prepare not only for exams but for life. We prepare to become reliable professionals. We prepare to contribute to decent work and economic growth. And most importantly, we prepare to make a difference in the world around us.
Written By: Rtr. Sumali Dilrukshi
Image 1: https://shorturl.at/qzsLT
Image 2: https://shorturl.at/rbtdp
Featured Image: https://tinyurl.com/ycx2kzam
Leave a Reply