November 22, 2024 • 9 mins
Welcome to Day 13 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge. In this powerful and transformative episode, host Brandon L. Draper tackles one of the most misunderstood keys to success: discipline.
While motivation can spark a journey, it is discipline that carries you through. This episode dives into the neuroscience, psychology, and practical strategies behind building habits that last, even when the excitement fades.
Drawing from research, real-life examples, and actionable exercises, Brandon challenges listeners to rethink how they approach success and commitment. With hard truths, no-nonsense advice, and profound insights, this episode will inspire you to move beyond excuses and start building the life you want—one disciplined step at a time.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for empowering individuals to track their progress and build systems of success. Tune in daily to the Start Thinking Forward Podcast at 7:30 AM EST, and don’t miss our AI Weekly News Recap segment every Saturday.
Become a supporter for $11.99 to help us continue bringing you the best in transformative storytelling.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
While motivation can spark a journey, it is discipline that carries you through. This episode dives into the neuroscience, psychology, and practical strategies behind building habits that last, even when the excitement fades.
Drawing from research, real-life examples, and actionable exercises, Brandon challenges listeners to rethink how they approach success and commitment. With hard truths, no-nonsense advice, and profound insights, this episode will inspire you to move beyond excuses and start building the life you want—one disciplined step at a time.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for empowering individuals to track their progress and build systems of success. Tune in daily to the Start Thinking Forward Podcast at 7:30 AM EST, and don’t miss our AI Weekly News Recap segment every Saturday.
Become a supporter for $11.99 to help us continue bringing you the best in transformative storytelling.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm your host,
Brandon L. Draper, and today we're diving into one of
the most misunderstood elements of success, discipline. This is day
thirteen of our twenty two day challenge, and if you've
been with me from the start, you know this journey
(00:20):
is about transformation. Today we're going to tackle the truth
about discipline, what it is, what it isn't, and why
it's the ultimate game changer in life. Motivation gets all
the hype. It's flashy, it's exciting, and it feels good
in the moment. But motivation is like fireworks, bright and brilliant,
(00:41):
but short lived. Discipline, on the other hand, is the
steady flame that lights your path long after the fireworks
have faded. Here's the hard truth. If you're relying on
motivation to carry you through, you're setting yourself up to fail.
Motivation gets you started, but discipline keeps you going. And
(01:02):
today I'm going to show you how to build habits,
systems in a mindset that will outlast any fleeting emotion.
So if you're ready to stop waiting for the right
moment and start building a life that lasts, let's dive
in Let's start by breaking down the difference between motivation
and discipline, because this is where most people get it wrong.
(01:25):
Motivation is emotional. It's the rush of excitement you feel
when you start something new, the gym membership, the business plan,
the new year's resolution. It's a spark, but it doesn't last.
Discipline is logical. It's what gets you out of bed
at five am to hit the gym when it's cold,
dark and no one's watching. It's what keeps you working
(01:47):
on your goals long after the excitement is faded. Here's
a reality check. Motivation is unreliable. It's fleeting. If you're
waiting to feel motivated, you're going to spend a lot
of time waiting. Discipline, on the other hand, doesn't care
how you feel. Discipline shows up whether you're tired, uninspired,
(02:12):
or doubting yourself. Take Serena Williams, one of the greatest
athletes of all time. Do you think she relied on
motivation to become a twenty three time Grand Slam champion. No,
Serena showed up for training every single day, whether she
felt like it or not. She understood that motivation might
start the journey, but discipline is what finishes it. Her
(02:33):
success wasn't built on talent alone. It was built on
a foundation of relentless discipline. Shifting from motivation to discipline.
Grab a notebook and write down one goal you've been
struggling to achieve. Now, write down why you're waiting. What
excuses are you telling yourself. Next, write down one small,
(02:53):
disciplined action you can take today to move closer to
that goal. Remember, discipline doesn't weight for perfect conditions, it
creates them. Let's talk about what's happening in your brain
when you practice discipline. Discipline isn't just about willpower. It's
about how your brain is wired. Your prefrontal cortex, the
(03:15):
part of your brain responsible for decision making, plays a
crucial role in discipline. When you choose discipline, your prefrontal
cortex overrides the impulses of the limbic system, which is
driven by comfort and immediate gratification. This is why discipline
feels hard at first. It's literally your brain fighting against itself.
(03:38):
But here's the good news. Your brain is adaptable through
a process called neuroplasticity. You can rewire your brain to
make discipline easier over time. Every time you choose discipline
over comfort, you strengthen the neural pathways associated with self control.
Over time, these pathways become longer, making disciplined actions feel
(04:02):
more natural and automatic. Doctor Angela Duckworth, author of Grit,
The Power of Passion and Perseverance, found that grit, defined
as passion and perseverance for long term goals, is a
better predictor of success than talent or intelligence. Her research
shows that people who cultivate discipline and resilience are far
(04:25):
more likely to achieve their goals than those who rely
on bursts of motivation. Training your brain for discipline. Think
about a habit you've been trying to build. Now break
it into smaller steps that you can practice consistently. For example,
if your goal is to exercise daily, start by committing
(04:47):
to ten minutes of movement each day. Small consistent actions
rewire your brain for discipline. One of the biggest lies
we tell ourselves is I'm just not a disciplined person.
Here's the truth. Discipline isn't something you're born with. It's
something you develop. It's a skill, just like learning to
ride a bike or play an instrument. But just like
(05:09):
any skill, discipline requires practice, and the more you practice,
the stronger it gets. Think of discipline like a muscle.
Every time you choose discipline over comfort, your strengthening that muscle,
and just like in the gym, the more you train it,
the more powerful it becomes. Real life example Jocko Willing.
(05:31):
Jocko Willing, a retired Navy seal and author of Discipline
Equals Freedom lives by one mantra, discipline is the pathway
to freedom. For Jocko, discipline isn't about restriction, It's about control.
It's about taking ownership of your life and doing what
needs to be done no matter how you feel. His
philosophy is simple. If you want freedom, freedom from fear, doubt,
(05:54):
and regret, you need discipline. Building your discipline muscle. Think
about one area in your life where you lack discipline.
Now write down one small action you can take every
day to strengthen that muscle. For example, if you struggle
with waking up early, start by setting your alarm fifteen
(06:16):
minutes earlier each day until you reach your goal. Here's
where most people get it wrong. They think discipline is
about sheer willpower. But willpower is limited. It's a finite resource.
What truly sustains discipline is habits and systems. Habits are
the automatic behaviors you build through repetition. Systems are the
(06:39):
structures you create to support those habits. Together, they make
discipline easier by reducing decision fatigue James Clear's Atomic Habits.
In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains that success isn't about
setting big goals, it's about creating systems that make those
goals inevitable. For example, if your goal is to write
(07:02):
a book, your system might include writing for thirty minutes
every morning before checking your phone. By building this habit
into your routine, you eliminate the need for will power
designing your system. Write down one goal you're working toward now,
break it into small, actionable steps, and create a system
(07:26):
to make those steps automatic. For example, if your goal
is to eat healthier, your system might include meal prepping
on Sundays and keeping healthy snacks within reach. Setbacks are inevitable.
You're gonna have days when you slip up, feel unmotivated,
or face unexpected challenges. But discipline isn't about being perfect.
(07:50):
It's about showing up even when it's hard. Setbacks are
not failures, their opportunities to learn, adjust, and come back stronger.
Real life example Thomas Edison. When Thomas Edison was asked
about his one thousand failed attempts to invent the light bulb,
he famously said, I didn't fail one thousand times. The
(08:13):
light bulb was an invention with one thousand steps. Edison's discipline,
his refusal to quit despite repeated setbacks, led to one
of the greatest inventions in history. Learning from setbacks. Think
about a recent setback you've experienced, what went wrong, and
(08:33):
what can you learn from it? Write down one action
you'll take to adjust your system and move forward. Discipline
isn't restrictive, it's liberating. When you're disciplined, you're in control
of your time, your choices, in your life. You're not
at the mercy of your impulses, emotions, or external circumstances.
(08:55):
You're the one calling the shots. This is the ultimate freedom,
the ability to create the life you want through consistent
discipline action. Discipline is hard, but you don't have to
do it alone. That's where cerebro Ai comes in. This
platform helps you track your progress, build systems, and stay accountable.
(09:17):
If you're serious about creating lasting change, check out at
That's s E R E. B R dot Ai. Write
down one area of your life where you're ready to
build discipline. Create a blueprint with small, actionable steps and
a system to support it. Commit to showing up every
day no matter what. Discipline isn't easy, but it's worth it.
(09:39):
It's the foundation of success, growth and freedom. If this
episode resonated with you, share it. Let's inspire others to
stop relying on motivation and start building discipline. Until next time,
keep moving forward, keep thinking forward, and keep showing up
for yourself.
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm your host,
Brandon L. Draper, and today we're diving into one of
the most misunderstood elements of success, discipline. This is day
thirteen of our twenty two day challenge, and if you've
been with me from the start, you know this journey
(00:20):
is about transformation. Today we're going to tackle the truth
about discipline, what it is, what it isn't, and why
it's the ultimate game changer in life. Motivation gets all
the hype. It's flashy, it's exciting, and it feels good
in the moment. But motivation is like fireworks, bright and brilliant,
(00:41):
but short lived. Discipline, on the other hand, is the
steady flame that lights your path long after the fireworks
have faded. Here's the hard truth. If you're relying on
motivation to carry you through, you're setting yourself up to fail.
Motivation gets you started, but discipline keeps you going. And
(01:02):
today I'm going to show you how to build habits,
systems in a mindset that will outlast any fleeting emotion.
So if you're ready to stop waiting for the right
moment and start building a life that lasts, let's dive
in Let's start by breaking down the difference between motivation
and discipline, because this is where most people get it wrong.
(01:25):
Motivation is emotional. It's the rush of excitement you feel
when you start something new, the gym membership, the business plan,
the new year's resolution. It's a spark, but it doesn't last.
Discipline is logical. It's what gets you out of bed
at five am to hit the gym when it's cold,
dark and no one's watching. It's what keeps you working
(01:47):
on your goals long after the excitement is faded. Here's
a reality check. Motivation is unreliable. It's fleeting. If you're
waiting to feel motivated, you're going to spend a lot
of time waiting. Discipline, on the other hand, doesn't care
how you feel. Discipline shows up whether you're tired, uninspired,
(02:12):
or doubting yourself. Take Serena Williams, one of the greatest
athletes of all time. Do you think she relied on
motivation to become a twenty three time Grand Slam champion. No,
Serena showed up for training every single day, whether she
felt like it or not. She understood that motivation might
start the journey, but discipline is what finishes it. Her
(02:33):
success wasn't built on talent alone. It was built on
a foundation of relentless discipline. Shifting from motivation to discipline.
Grab a notebook and write down one goal you've been
struggling to achieve. Now, write down why you're waiting. What
excuses are you telling yourself. Next, write down one small,
(02:53):
disciplined action you can take today to move closer to
that goal. Remember, discipline doesn't weight for perfect conditions, it
creates them. Let's talk about what's happening in your brain
when you practice discipline. Discipline isn't just about willpower. It's
about how your brain is wired. Your prefrontal cortex, the
(03:15):
part of your brain responsible for decision making, plays a
crucial role in discipline. When you choose discipline, your prefrontal
cortex overrides the impulses of the limbic system, which is
driven by comfort and immediate gratification. This is why discipline
feels hard at first. It's literally your brain fighting against itself.
(03:38):
But here's the good news. Your brain is adaptable through
a process called neuroplasticity. You can rewire your brain to
make discipline easier over time. Every time you choose discipline
over comfort, you strengthen the neural pathways associated with self control.
Over time, these pathways become longer, making disciplined actions feel
(04:02):
more natural and automatic. Doctor Angela Duckworth, author of Grit,
The Power of Passion and Perseverance, found that grit, defined
as passion and perseverance for long term goals, is a
better predictor of success than talent or intelligence. Her research
shows that people who cultivate discipline and resilience are far
(04:25):
more likely to achieve their goals than those who rely
on bursts of motivation. Training your brain for discipline. Think
about a habit you've been trying to build. Now break
it into smaller steps that you can practice consistently. For example,
if your goal is to exercise daily, start by committing
(04:47):
to ten minutes of movement each day. Small consistent actions
rewire your brain for discipline. One of the biggest lies
we tell ourselves is I'm just not a disciplined person.
Here's the truth. Discipline isn't something you're born with. It's
something you develop. It's a skill, just like learning to
ride a bike or play an instrument. But just like
(05:09):
any skill, discipline requires practice, and the more you practice,
the stronger it gets. Think of discipline like a muscle.
Every time you choose discipline over comfort, your strengthening that muscle,
and just like in the gym, the more you train it,
the more powerful it becomes. Real life example Jocko Willing.
(05:31):
Jocko Willing, a retired Navy seal and author of Discipline
Equals Freedom lives by one mantra, discipline is the pathway
to freedom. For Jocko, discipline isn't about restriction, It's about control.
It's about taking ownership of your life and doing what
needs to be done no matter how you feel. His
philosophy is simple. If you want freedom, freedom from fear, doubt,
(05:54):
and regret, you need discipline. Building your discipline muscle. Think
about one area in your life where you lack discipline.
Now write down one small action you can take every
day to strengthen that muscle. For example, if you struggle
with waking up early, start by setting your alarm fifteen
(06:16):
minutes earlier each day until you reach your goal. Here's
where most people get it wrong. They think discipline is
about sheer willpower. But willpower is limited. It's a finite resource.
What truly sustains discipline is habits and systems. Habits are
the automatic behaviors you build through repetition. Systems are the
(06:39):
structures you create to support those habits. Together, they make
discipline easier by reducing decision fatigue James Clear's Atomic Habits.
In Atomic Habits, James Clear explains that success isn't about
setting big goals, it's about creating systems that make those
goals inevitable. For example, if your goal is to write
(07:02):
a book, your system might include writing for thirty minutes
every morning before checking your phone. By building this habit
into your routine, you eliminate the need for will power
designing your system. Write down one goal you're working toward now,
break it into small, actionable steps, and create a system
(07:26):
to make those steps automatic. For example, if your goal
is to eat healthier, your system might include meal prepping
on Sundays and keeping healthy snacks within reach. Setbacks are inevitable.
You're gonna have days when you slip up, feel unmotivated,
or face unexpected challenges. But discipline isn't about being perfect.
(07:50):
It's about showing up even when it's hard. Setbacks are
not failures, their opportunities to learn, adjust, and come back stronger.
Real life example Thomas Edison. When Thomas Edison was asked
about his one thousand failed attempts to invent the light bulb,
he famously said, I didn't fail one thousand times. The
(08:13):
light bulb was an invention with one thousand steps. Edison's discipline,
his refusal to quit despite repeated setbacks, led to one
of the greatest inventions in history. Learning from setbacks. Think
about a recent setback you've experienced, what went wrong, and
(08:33):
what can you learn from it? Write down one action
you'll take to adjust your system and move forward. Discipline
isn't restrictive, it's liberating. When you're disciplined, you're in control
of your time, your choices, in your life. You're not
at the mercy of your impulses, emotions, or external circumstances.
(08:55):
You're the one calling the shots. This is the ultimate freedom,
the ability to create the life you want through consistent
discipline action. Discipline is hard, but you don't have to
do it alone. That's where cerebro Ai comes in. This
platform helps you track your progress, build systems, and stay accountable.
(09:17):
If you're serious about creating lasting change, check out at
That's s E R E. B R dot Ai. Write
down one area of your life where you're ready to
build discipline. Create a blueprint with small, actionable steps and
a system to support it. Commit to showing up every
day no matter what. Discipline isn't easy, but it's worth it.
(09:39):
It's the foundation of success, growth and freedom. If this
episode resonated with you, share it. Let's inspire others to
stop relying on motivation and start building discipline. Until next time,
keep moving forward, keep thinking forward, and keep showing up
for yourself.
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