Motivation

The Real Reasons You Don’t Follow Through on Self-CommitmentsPick the Brain

Published

3 months ago

September 24, 2024

The prevailing self-help culture instills in us the belief that success requires discipline. We are constantly reminded that discipline is the key to achieving academic success, advancing in our careers, obtaining the body we desire, learning new skills, and more. Consequently, we often feel the need to push ourselves to do whatever is necessary to turn these aspirations into reality.

However, relying solely on forceful actions is seldom a sustainable solution. While we may muster the willpower to do something once or twice, we are likely to eventually give in. This pattern can lead to a cycle of giving up and then criticizing ourselves for lacking discipline.

But the reasons for falling short of our goals are often more complex than simply lacking discipline. There are usually multiple factors at play. If you have ever started a goal or project but struggled to see it through to completion, here are three possible reasons why.

Perceived Load

Often, the reason you struggle to tackle a task is more about your perception of its difficulty rather than a lack of discipline. When a task seems overwhelming, you are more likely to procrastinate, putting it off until the last minute or not doing it at all. By breaking the task into smaller, manageable pieces, you can reduce its perceived difficulty, making it seem more achievable and less daunting.

For example, if you find it challenging to exercise in order to lose weight, you may have preconceived notions about what a workout should entail in terms of duration and intensity. This mindset can turn a simple physical activity into something overwhelming and intimidating.

Instead, try breaking down your workout into mini-sessions that you can spread throughout the day. For instance, you could focus on different muscle groups in each session. Fitness expert Mark Sisson refers to these types of workouts as ‘micro workouts’ and credits them for helping him maintain his fitness well into his 60s.

Ego Depletion

Discipline requires self-control, which consumes significant mental resources. Studies have shown that exercising self-control depletes the brain’s glucose and oxygen levels. This depletion makes it harder to exert self-control in subsequent tasks, indicating that self-control is a finite resource that needs replenishment. This phenomenon is known as “ego depletion.”

If you struggle with discipline in a particular area, it may be because you are attempting it when your ego resources are depleted. For instance, you might find it challenging to exercise after a long day at work or resist unhealthy snacks after a stressful situation. Engaging in activities that require self-control can drain your ability to maintain discipline.

This issue can be addressed by planning your activities strategically. Avoid scheduling consecutive tasks that demand significant discipline. Allow yourself time to recharge your mental resources, and be forgiving when unexpected obstacles arise—remember, you are only human.

Lack of Motivation

At times, a lack of discipline may stem from a lack of motivation. If you struggle to adhere to a diet, procrastinate on projects, or resist activities that require willpower, it could be because you don’t have a strong enough reason driving you. While you may believe you have a valid reason, your actions may suggest otherwise.

Take a moment to reevaluate what you are trying to achieve and why it matters to you. For example, if you find it hard to stick to a diet and exercise routine for weight loss, consider the underlying motivation behind your goal. Without a clear and compelling reason (“why”), your goals are likely to falter.

Reflect on the core motivations driving your pursuits. A worthwhile goal will have a meaningful purpose that, once identified, can diminish the need for strict discipline. Understanding the “why” behind your goal can make it easier to take the necessary steps to accomplish it.

Final Thoughts: Beyond Discipline

Success does not hinge on strict discipline alone. While self-discipline can be beneficial, it is not a sustainable solution. Focusing solely on discipline may hinder us from conducting the introspection needed to address the root causes of our struggles with commitment. When we embark on ambitious endeavors but falter in seeing them through, we often neglect to examine our approach or the motivations driving us. However, these are often where the solutions lie. By taking the time to reflect, you may realize that the lack of discipline is not the primary issue—there are often underlying factors at play that extend beyond discipline.

Darya is part of the blogging team at Shortform, where she contributes to spreading the world’s best ideas through SEO and impactful writing. Shortform aims to enhance accessibility to the world’s top ideas by summarizing, synthesizing, and contextualizing non-fiction books in various categories such as self-help, business, finance, and career.

ERIN FALCONER!

Erin empowers overscheduled, overwhelmed women to achieve more by doing less. Traditional productivity guides, often authored by men, overlook the unique pressures women face when managing their to-do lists. How to Get Sh*t Done offers strategies to focus on three key areas of your life for excellence while letting go of, delegating, or disregarding the rest.