You Don't Need Motivation Or Drugs!

What would you say to a person who tells you that they can only function on daily basis after getting high on drugs? If you are like most people you will probably think that the person needs serious professional help to break their addiction.

Motivation is one of the most sought-after stimulants in professional environments. It is thought of as the magic ingredient that results in greatness. Countless books, podcasts, and videos have been created to stimulate people. However, this stimulation, like that of high inducing drugs does not last for long. This results in an ever more increased quest for more motivation until one arrives at a point when things that should actually motivate a person no longer have any impact on the person.

Lack of motivation is typically cited as a reason by people for not being more diligent with their work. The truth is that motivation, like happiness, is transient. By its very nature, it comes in spikes and goes away. It feels good, no doubt. But so does cocaine and you would probably not want to rely on the high of cocaine to become great at your work.

The quest for motivation and happiness is a quest for the transient. The difference between an amateur and a pro is that a pro does not wait for motivation to get going. Pros rather rely on discipline to put in the required effort.

Someone once asked Somerset Maugham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by motivation. "I write only when motivation strikes," he replied. "Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o'clock sharp." That's a pro!

Instant gratification gives happiness but being satisfied gives rise to a deeper more resonant feeling called joy (sustained latent happiness). You ideally want to replace these two transient emotions - motivation and happiness - with are discipline and satisfaction. Discipline is the ability to do something even when you don't feel like doing it. The Beatles did not become the greatest band on the planet because they were motivated to practice for 8 hours every night. They were not motivated every day (they must have been some days!). On all the other days they were disciplined.

Motivation may lead to happiness (which by its very nature is fleeting) but discipline creates satisfaction that leads to joy.

Do you want to be an amateur or a pro? 99% of people will say that they want to be the latter but they will try to become a pro through their quest for fleeting things like motivation and happiness.

You don’t need motivation or drugs. What you need are purpose and discipline!