Motivation Won’t Help You Reach Your Goals — But Mindset Coaching Might
We often lean on motivation to kickstart our goals — a new year, a fresh quarter, a bold ambition. But as excitement fades, overwhelm creeps in, and we struggle to sustain our efforts.
Whether it’s trying to build healthier habits, launch a new project, or find clarity during a life transition, motivation alone isn’t enough.
The truth? Discipline, not motivation, is what gets you to the finish line. And this is where mindset coaching plays a powerful role. It helps you build the resilience, consistency, and belief required to keep going — especially when motivation disappears.
“We don’t have to be smarter than the rest, we have to be more disciplined than the rest”
Discipline is the Pathway to Self Discovery and Growth
In every area of the Wheel of Life — from your career and finances to your health and relationships — discipline unlocks progress. It’s the foundation that helps you overcome overwhelm and reconnect with your true potential.
Research backs this up: People with strong self-discipline are healthier, more productive, and experience better relationships. More importantly, they are better equipped for self discovery — the kind that doesn’t happen in a single breakthrough moment but through consistent, uncomfortable, soul-shifting action.
What’s Really Holding You Back? It’s Not a Lack of Motivation
Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t struggle because we lack dreams or drive. We struggle because we:
Avoid discomfort
Wait to “feel ready”
Confuse urgency with clarity
As someone who has always valued freedom and spontaneity, I’ve had to learn (and re-learn) that discipline is the bridge between where I am and where I want to go. I’ve had to quiet the fear of being too late or not enough — the mental noise that makes overwhelm louder than momentum.
Completing my third City2Surf
My Journey With Running and Mindset Coaching
For years after my back surgery, I cycled through frustration, avoidance, and physical rehab. But in the last six months, I applied a disciplined approach to one goal: getting back to running 10km.
Here’s what changed:
I committed to running regardless of motivation.
I scheduled it like a meeting in my calendar.
I silenced distractions and protected that time.
I visualised the psychological rewards of running — clarity, energy, confidence.
This wasn’t just physical training — it was mindset training. Each kilometre became a lesson in resilience, focus, and self belief.
Discipline, backed by the tools of mindset coaching, helped me break through overwhelm and self-doubt. And now I’m stronger — physically and mentally — than I’ve been in years.
Reframing Discipline Using the Steven Bartlett Equation
Steven Bartlett’s Discipline Equation is a brilliant framework for anyone facing resistance:
Discipline = {The Value of the Goal + The Reward of the Pursuit - The Cost of the Pursuit}
Let’s apply it:
Goal: Run 10km again like I did pre-op.
Reward: The post-run high, clarity, strength, validation, great playlists, ideas, and that cold shower.
Cost: The discomfort of showing up, anxiety about performance, the initial resistance.
But the reward far outweighs the cost — so I keep showing up. That’s not motivation. That’s mindset in action.
Overcoming Overwhelm with Small, Consistent Wins
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, remember this:
You don’t need a massive transformation. You need a moment of self-honesty and a plan rooted in discipline and self discovery.
Where are you waiting for motivation?
Where could you take small, deliberate action instead?
What would change if you trusted yourself to follow through — even on the hard days?
This is the work of mindset coaching — helping you align your energy, habits, and actions with the vision you hold for your life.
Ready to Recommit to Your Goals for the Second Half of the Year?
We’re halfway through the year. If you’re behind on your goals — you’re not alone. But don’t wait for motivation to strike.
Instead, pause for self discovery, check in with your values, and choose to move forward with intentional discipline.
Because here’s the truth:
Motivation won’t change your life.
Discipline, grounded in a strong mindset, will.
More Resources to Support Your Journey:
📥 Download the Wheel of Life Tool to reset your focus
🎧 Listen to Mel Robbins on The Power of Daily Discipline
💬 Want support? Explore Mindset Coaching with Me
