Dedication > Motivation

At the time of writing this, my motivation is low. It's Sunday night and my only motivation is to turn on a movie and chill on the couch. And there's nothing wrong with that. But my dedication to expand my writing is higher. And I also got a few encouraging words from a friend.

It is said that one must spend 10,000 hours to master a skill. Does that mean that one is motivated during those 10,000 hours? Certainly not. And it's not about "spending" either, it's about dedication. Spending is pointless, dedication is purposeful.

If you are consistent, you will notice that something changes. Something amazing is happening in the brain. The connection between mind and body becomes stronger. Every little bit of progress adds up. That's why it can seem like nothing is changing… until suddenly everything is different. Thats what's known as the compound effect.

A lot of people give up when they do not see progress toward their ultimate goal.

But if you keep track of the small changes, you will see results. You will se that you lift a little heavier than you did last week. You run a little faster, you solve a problem a little faster. You write a little better. What happens if you give yourself 4 weeks? 6 months? a year? 3 years? 5 years? If you are consistent and committed, where will you be? You are your only competition.

But change can go both ways - for better or for worse. Bad habits also reinforce themselves and become part of who you are. Let the god habits become who you are.

If you die tomorrow, do not regret your life at the last moment of your breath. Die with the feeling you did what you could do and nothing else.

If you are dedicated, the focus is on the journey, you will see incremental changes and the finish line becomes the product. If you only use your motivation as your fuel, you will only think about the finish line. And if the road is long, the journey becomes hell.

Consistency is a product of dedication. Motivation is a product of your feelings. Feelings come and go, just like motivation. So do not rely on motivation to achieve your goal.

Dedication is not a feeling, it is a choice. You can choose to dedicate yourself to something, regardless of how you feel at any given moment.

Thats why Dedication > Motivation