Before we dive into self-discipline it’s most important to understand the root of the problem.
For years I’ve wondered why I lack motivation. Whether it’s to wake up, go to work, or even pursue my hobbies. I kept thinking that something was wrong with me as I had no motivation to even go through my day. Was I just lazy?
In this case, I knew it wasn’t depression since I felt happy otherwise. Your mental health should be one of the first things you assess when you see such symptoms. To find out if you’re feeling depressed ask yourself the questions from this post. Use the prompts to deduce the chief reason.
After reading the article, if you’ve realized it’s not depression, you can begin to question if it’s something different. Since I have been in therapy for years now, I know my lack of motivation is no longer stemming from depression.
After a conversation with my therapist, I know that it isn’t motivation I lack – it’s self-discipline. The discipline to get things done whether or not I feel like accomplishing it. This is when I was introduced to the three types of ego in psychology – id, ego, and superego.
Types of Ego
Id is the unconscious part of our personalities that exist within us since birth. It’s driven by our instinctual needs. It’s mainly based on the pleasure principle, where we seek instant gratification. Whether it’s something we desire, want, or need. When we don’t fulfill that want or need, we get anxious or stressed like a baby crying for food.
Ego is based upon id and it’s the reality principle. It’s where we try to fulfill our wants and needs in ways that are realistic. Ego is the part of us that makes us reasonable or level-headed. Like I would prefer to have ice cream every day but instead, my ego allows me to have it once in a while to prevent health issues.
Superego is the ideal concept we’re taught by our parents when we’re young. Based on what’s moral or ethically right or wrong – the standards or rules of society.
Unfortunately, I’m doing terribly at balancing all of my three egos. I keep succumbing to my Id. My want to just sleep and watch tv all day is overriding all the other things I need to do in my life to function. As a result, I recognized that motivation is something I can’t depend on or wait to magically descend upon me. Motivation only helps with short-term goals and is short-lived. Self-discipline is necessary for long-term success. I need self-discipline so my ego can balance my Id, ego, and superego.
But the question is how. Cultivating self-discipline seems like an extremely difficult mountain to climb. For someone like me who doesn’t like to hike, unless it’s the beginner’s trail, it seems impossible.
A book that I’ve put on my next reading list is “The Motivation Myth” by Jeff Haden. I’m hoping it may help “motivate” me into becoming more self-disciplined. Let me know if it does for you.
In the meanwhile though, read about the 5-second rule I’ve recently explored to cultivate my self-discipline. I will continue to update you all on my journey towards achieving self-discipline including any failures, not just successes.
Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
