Discipline vs. Motivation - My Uncle Is Stronger Than Yours
“Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”
Key Takeaways
It’s true, strength runs in my family. My grandpas hauled coal and goats around in a mine and on a farm, my Uncle John lugs steel beams and power tools around all day, and my dad...well, he’s an accountant, but he’s a real nice guy (sorry, Dad).
Uncle John has been working out for over 45 years. In addition to lifting at least 4x/week for over 2,340 weeks, he’s worked labor intensive jobs (think construction, contracting, etc.) his entire life.
The other day, he texted me to let me know that he pressed 110 lb dumbbells for 8 reps - at 60, he’s stronger than me!
Motivation is great, explosive fuel in the moment, but discipline is the slow-burning energy source that powers health and fitness success.
Reflecting on your source of motivation will help you understand why you’re committing to healthy habits but also to cultivate the discipline to stay the course long term.
My Uncle John
Full Story
Being a meathead runs in my veins. Not actually - having tiny pieces of ground beef and sausage coursing through my vascular system would be disgusting and make an absolute MESS of my blood pressure.
Maybe I should write, “My love for the gym is in my genes.” Yeah that’s better for my message and cardiovascular health.
It’s true, strength runs in my family. My grandpas hauled coal and goats around in a mine and on a farm, my Uncle John lugs steel beams and power tools around all day, and my dad...well, he’s an accountant, but he’s a real nice guy (sorry, Dad).
Today, the spotlight is not on the coal miner, farmer, or accountant, but on my Uncle John. And it’s all thanks to this one text that made me feel immeasurably weak and beam with pride, both at the same time.
Quick Background
The year is 1975. The price of a gallon of gas is 57 cents, Elton John tops the charts, and Uncle John picks up his first pair of dumbbells. He hasn’t put them down since.
Uncle John has been working out for over 45 years. In addition to lifting at least 4x/week for over 2,340 weeks, he’s worked labor intensive jobs (think construction, contracting, etc.) his entire life.
Can you even imagine lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy things in the blazing sun for 8 hours at work, and then finding the energy and intensity to work out hard at the end of the day? For some contrast, I occasionally pat myself on the back for making the time to train before or after sitting on my butt in a temperature controlled class. HA!
His consistency and discipline is difficult to comprehend.
This year, Uncle John turns 60. After decades of waging an endless war against the weights, the iron has fought back and he’s undergone a laundry list of procedures - a repaired bicep here, a rotator cuff there. But he hasn’t slowed down one bit.
The Text
When I receive a message from Uncle John, the subject is usually:
Working out
A new piece of gym equipment he’s acquired
How I’m a disgrace to the name “John” and need to throw some more weight on the barbell
As you’ll see, this text was perfectly on brand.
I had just finished my warm up and was scrolling through my Eminem playlist to find the perfect pump up song, when I saw a new message pop on my screen. Though I usually don’t read texts during my workouts (#focus #BEASTMODE), I saw the contact name and knew whatever the text contained would motivate me more than ol’ Slim Shady.
Boy, was I right.
First, a text about new equipment because Uncle John unsurprisingly had gotten too strong for the amount of weights he already owned:
Then, this series of messages that made me question my entire life:
To be clear, he’s talking about dumbbell pressing 110lb dumbbells (110 lbs in each hand) for 8 reps!
I’m 24, in the PRIME of my strength and muscle-building years, and my 60 year old uncle is stronger than me. How cool is that?
Motivation vs. Discipline
If you’re feeling sluggish or tired, motivation is an amazing, energizing source to help power you through that next workout or healthy meal. Motivation comes in many forms, including:
Your favorite pump-up song
A YouTube hype video
A hefty dose of caffeine or pre workout
A friend or family member
An especially impressive guy or gal at your local gym
The fatal flaw with motivation is that it’s TEMPORARY. The thought passess, the song ends, and you’re right back where you started, with little drive and a lot of Netflix and tacos calling your name.
When a lack of motivation leaves you high and dry, we must rely on discipline to stay committed to our health and fitness goals. In our story of Uncle John and his text, here’s the difference between motivation and discipline:
Motivation - I receive a text from my 60 year old uncle telling me that he’s stronger than me (and it’s not even close). I crank up the music, add 10 more lbs to each dumbbell, and go to work! After the workout is over, the feeling fades.
Discipline - Uncle John works out 4 days per week, every week, for over 45 years. Rain or shine, whether he feels like it or not, no question about it - he’s going to get it done. Over and over, for the rest of his life.
Discipline will always trump motivation because it’s always there for you. Motivation is great, explosive fuel in the moment, but discipline is the slow-burning energy source that powers long term health and fitness success.
Wrap Up - Who’s Your Motivation?
Motivation, though fleeting, is a powerful tool. Who is your motivation? Maybe it’s:
Your parents
Your significant other
Your kids
Your trainer
Your Uncle John
It could even be yourself! Reflecting on your source of motivation will allow you to understand why you’re committing to healthy habits but also help you to cultivate the discipline to stay the course long term.
If you’re motivated by a specific friend or family member, you might even want to text or call them and let them know (or write an article about them on your fitness website 👀).
