I don’t enjoy working out. There, I said it. For years, I’ve been honest about this – I dread exercise but deeply value the health benefits it brings. This morning, I found myself at the gym again, not because I suddenly developed a passion for fitness, but because I’ve learned that discipline trumps motivation.
My day was already packed. I had just finished hosting a live session for an hour, and at 9:30, I needed to join my men’s group – a community of seven other guys I’ve been meeting with every Tuesday for five years. We pray together and share our burdens – it’s an essential part of my week. But between these commitments, I deliberately carved out time for a workout.
If I hadn’t scheduled it, it simply wouldn’t have happened. This is the reality for many of us when it comes to activities we don’t naturally enjoy.
The Discipline Paradox
What I’ve discovered over time is that some of life’s most valuable activities aren’t necessarily the ones we look forward to. The things that build our health, character, and relationships often require pushing through initial resistance.
Many successful people aren’t necessarily doing what they love every minute of the day. Instead, they’ve built disciplined habits around activities that produce valuable results in their lives. This distinction is crucial.
When we wait for motivation or enjoyment to strike before taking action, we limit our growth. The alternative approach has proven far more effective:
- Schedule important activities whether you feel like doing them or not
- Show up consistently, even when it’s the last thing you want to do
- Focus on the outcomes rather than the temporary discomfort
- Recognize that repetition eventually creates neural pathways that make the activity less difficult
This approach transforms difficult activities from dreaded chores into simply “what you do” – parts of your identity rather than constant internal battles.
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From Resistance to Routine
The beautiful transformation happens when you persist long enough. What started as a struggle gradually becomes routine. While I can’t promise you’ll suddenly fall in love with activities you naturally resist, I can assure you that the resistance diminishes over time.
For me, working out has evolved from something I actively avoided to just another part of my schedule. The mental battle has lessened significantly. I no longer debate whether I’ll exercise – I simply show up at the appointed time because that’s what I’ve programmed myself to do.
Sometimes you don’t like to do a lot of things. Hopefully, some things that are good to do, you start to like to do it, but you may not like to do it.
This principle extends far beyond fitness. Perhaps you need to have difficult conversations, manage your finances, or tackle challenging projects at work. The initial resistance can feel overwhelming, but consistent action gradually transforms these activities from exceptional efforts into standard operating procedure.
Building Your Discipline Muscle
Think of discipline as a muscle that strengthens with use. Each time you choose to do something beneficial despite not wanting to, you’re building capacity for future challenges. The more you exercise this muscle, the stronger it becomes.
The goal isn’t to eliminate discomfort but to develop the ability to act despite it. This capacity serves you in every area of life, from professional growth to personal relationships.
Start small. Identify one valuable activity you consistently avoid and schedule it at a specific time. Treat this appointment as non-negotiable. After several weeks, evaluate how the resistance has changed and how the benefits have accumulated.
Remember that discipline isn’t about perfection. There will be days when you fall short. The key is returning to your commitment rather than allowing temporary setbacks to derail your progress.
So today, I encourage you to embrace something beneficial that you don’t naturally enjoy. Keep showing up, and eventually, it will become part of who you are – not because you learned to love the activity itself, but because you’ve developed the discipline to prioritize what truly matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for a difficult activity to become a habit?
While the popular notion suggests 21 days, research indicates habit formation typically takes between 18-254 days, with an average of 66 days. The complexity of the activity and your personal resistance to it will affect this timeline. Focus on consistency rather than a specific deadline.
Q: What if I never enjoy certain beneficial activities?
Not every beneficial activity will become enjoyable, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t necessarily to love the activity but to reduce the mental resistance to doing it. Success comes from making the activity a normal part of your routine rather than an exceptional effort each time.
Q: How do I maintain discipline when my schedule gets overwhelming?
During busy periods, focus on maintaining minimum viable habits rather than abandoning them completely. For example, a 10-minute workout is better than skipping exercise entirely. Protect your scheduled commitments by treating them as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
Q: Can discipline eventually lead to enjoyment?
Sometimes, yes. Many activities become more enjoyable as you develop competence. Additionally, the satisfaction from seeing results can create positive associations with the activity. While not guaranteed, it’s common to develop at least an appreciation for activities that consistently deliver valuable outcomes in your life.
Photo by; Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash