When it comes to personal growth, two terms often surface that can be easily misunderstood or interchanged – motivation and willpower.
It's undeniable that both are necessary. However, it's only when we delve into their definitions that we comprehend how remarkably distinct their impacts on our mindset are. Both motivation and willpower are commendable, yet they don't promise identical results in our existence. Let's explore why.
Understanding the Essence of Motivation
Each of us harbors dreams and ambitions that propel us forward daily. In our quest to reach these aspirations, we frequently depend on motivation to spur us into action.
Ordinarily, we contemplate an action and await the perfect moment to execute it. We spend a significant part of our existence waiting for the ideal mood or mindset before we propel ourselves into action. Ever heard or thought, “When the time feels right…” Precisely! That's the embodiment of motivation – the magic of the right moment.
Motivation typically emerges following a series of external events. It manifests as a sudden surge of energy or an inspirational mood. It's truly enchanting! Motivation can push an individual to extraordinary measures to fulfill their objectives.
It's that adrenaline rush that propels us into action. However, motivation is typically short-lived. It swiftly evaporates when circumstances or emotions shift.
We can infer that while motivation might kick-start our journey, depending on it for lasting success isn't viable. Motivation needs daily renewal. As Zig Ziglar once said, “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing, that's why we recommend it daily.”
It's worth noting that renewing motivation daily can also be a challenging task.
The Impact of Willpower
Achieving long-term success demands consistent strides towards your goals, not just when the situation is favorable or when you feel like it, but constantly.
Willpower is about fulfilling your responsibilities, even when the circumstances might permit otherwise. It signifies the resolve to meet your commitments, regardless of resistance. It doesn't wait for inspiration or the perfect moment. Willpower is about doing what's necessary. It's highly pragmatic.
Willpower might not always seem positive as it demands you to push yourself to do tasks even when it's uncomfortable. It's rarely convenient and involves showing up even when you lack the desire. Often referred to as the ‘mental muscle,' willpower grows stronger the more you use it, within reasonable limits.
Willpower seems to hold the upper hand in our pursuit of long-lasting success. However, it also appears more demanding and formidable. Like many valuable life skills, unlocking and harnessing willpower requires self-awareness.
The functioning of willpower is akin to exercise, healthy eating, and other beneficial habits. Initial resistance might be met, but with time, these habits become second nature when deeply rooted in your routine.
With practice, willpower can help us develop new habits that lay the foundation for long-term success. It plays a crucial role in habit formation, as stepping out of comfort zones is a common occurrence when consciously creating change. Habits are actions performed regularly and consistently, often subconsciously. Once a behavior becomes habitual, it demands minimal effort, achieved through repetition and practice.
While embarking on important tasks usually involves resistance, that's precisely what willpower can assist with, contrary to depending on motivation and waiting for the perfect moment to act.
While motivation is a good launchpad, banking on it for consistent results is fruitless. Nurture your willpower and fortify that mental muscle. The rewards will be more fulfilling.
