Gina London: Discipline – not motivation – is what pushes you forward in a storm

“What? I don’t decorate for Lulu, I do it for me,” I shot back laughing.

Of course, the true answer is somewhere in between. I do it for myself and for my daughter. I know she especially enjoys bringing friends over when our home is wrapped in golden glitter, scented pine boughs, mistletoe and the ubiquitous knickknacks in shades of reds and greens. But you’re never going to see her haul the boxes out of storage on her own volition and get to decorating. That’s entirely up to me. And despite the fact that the past few weeks have required me to travel for work a lot more than usual, I still was determined to make time to get the house properly decorated to kick off the holiday season. I didn’t particularly feel like it, but I did it anyway.

On a heavier note, a friend of mine who recently split from her husband told me how she was still taking their three young children she now has sole custody of to the exotic holiday trip they had previous planned to take together. It wasn’t going to be easy, but she was going to do it anyway.

That took me back to my first trip to Walt Disney World. I was eleven years old, my sister was eight and my brother was six. Our mom loaded up the car the day after Christmas that year and we drove to the airport to fly to Orlando. We were going all on our own too. Because my dad had suddenly died when the small, twin-engine plane he was piloting crashed just two weeks earlier.

As the holiday season unfolds before us this year, I certainly don’t want to bring you down. I know there’s a lot of pressure and extra stress that can pile on this time of year. I want you to take heart that you’re not alone. I have great admiration for single moms (and dads too for that matter). Any individual who is persevering to make an extra effort – to complete that work project before year’s end, to open their home to entertain family and friends, whatever it is. It may not be easy and you may not feel like doing it, but you put your head down and you do it anyway.

Often it’s not about motivation, it’s about discipline and perseverance.

I stand firm in my belief that discipline and perseverance are the true driving forces behind lasting success.

Motivation is often a fleeting and unpredictable companion. It's like a burst of adrenaline that propels you forward momentarily but can fade as quickly as it arrives. On the other hand, discipline and perseverance quietly shape destinies over time.

1. Consistency Builds Momentum

Discipline is the bedrock upon which consistency is built. In business as well as parenting, success is not an overnight phenomenon but a gradual accumulation of efforts. Motivation might propel you to take the first step, but it's discipline that ensures you keep moving forward, day in and day out. The ability to consistently execute tasks, adhere to timelines, and meet targets creates a momentum that propels you further along the path to success.

Imagine a marketing campaign that relies solely on the initial burst of motivation without the backbone of discipline. It might start with a flurry of creativity and enthusiasm, but without the structured and consistent effort, it is bound to fizzle out.

2. Weathering the Storms of Setbacks

Perseverance, the tenacious partner of discipline, becomes the guiding force when the going gets tough. Challenges are inevitable. Campaigns may not yield the expected results, market trends may shift, and unforeseen obstacles may arise. It's during these testing times that perseverance emerges as the unsung hero, providing the strength to weather the storms of setbacks.

Motivation often wavers in the face of adversity. It's easy to stay motivated when everything is going according to plan, but when obstacles arise, motivation may dwindle. This is where perseverance shines.

3. Building Expertise through Adapting

Discipline is not just about doing things consistently; it's also about deliberate practice and continuous improvement. In the corporate world, where trends evolve rapidly and consumer behaviour undergoes constant shifts, building expertise is crucial. The repetition of tasks, coupled with a commitment to learning and refining strategies, is a testament to the power of discipline.

Motivation may spark the desire to learn initially, but it's discipline that transforms learning into a habit. Whether it's staying updated on industry trends, honing creative skills, or mastering analytical tools, the disciplined business professional – or parent for that matter - commits to continuous improvement. This commitment, sustained over time, leads to the accumulation of expertise.

4. The Long Game of Positive Impact

Whether it’s pushing yourself to take the kids on a holiday all on your own or working overtime to get the team project across the line, in the journey of achievement, motivation may be a starting point, but it's a person’s unwavering commitment to discipline and perseverance who build an enduring and positive memory in the minds of those for whom they persevere.

Write to Gina in care of SundayBusiness@independent.ie

​With corporate clients in five continents, Gina London is a premier communications strategy, structure and delivery expert.

She is also a media analyst, author, speaker and former CNN anchor. @TheGinaLondon 885