Life is most consistent when it comes to its continuous attempts of trying to derail you from your selected track. There will always be a reason out there; a compelling one, it starts with an excuse, maybe a sudden occasion, soon enough we find ourselves trapped in a downward spiral.
Sooner or later, falling off track completely and not being as dedicated towards a goal or cause is just a matter time.
"Motivation will die, let discipline takes its place" - Anonymous
I've fallen off track many times, for many different reasons; sometimes it's health, sometimes family, and even my own inordinate set of responsibilities.
Yet, over the years I have gathered up a few methods that work in helping me stay on track; methods that seem to be ineffective at first, but give it some time, then you'll soon see or feel their "functionality", that's how it went for me at least.
ᴵᵐᵃᵍᵉˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵛᵉʳᵃˡˡ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉⁿᵗ ᵃʳᵉ ᵐʸ ᵒʷⁿ ᵘⁿˡᵉˢˢ ᶦᵗ'ˢ ᵐᵉⁿᵗᶦᵒⁿᵉᵈ
The first and easiest solution for me was reading, I'd say; books are cheap, so back then it was an easy pick. And even if a book is too much at first, then maybe start with an audio summary of that book, on YouTube or any other platform, most of it is free.
I myself like to read about other people's journeys and how they've overcome their fears and worst nightmares, how they managed to succeed in their life, what made them choose a certain path or profession. What's the source of their motivation, what keeps them disciplined and coming back for more.
When you just don't read for the sake of it, but ready properly, the benefits are endless. We rarely "gifted" the chance to learn from our mistakes, some of us don't even try to learn from our own mistakes.
Life's lessons and methods are harsh, life is a strict teacher, one that does not care about our tears and emotions.
So, when we do recover from a certain lesson or phase, we never look back to inspect about what went wrong, and what lesson we can take away from this experience. We're just too busy forgetting about this grim memory of ours.
Sometimes we feel alone when enduring these lessons; thinking that we have it rough, but when you start to read, start to look around, you begin to understand that you're not life's one and only pupil. There are countless others who have been through it, and also have made it in the end.
It's rare that you'd learn from someone else's mistakes; the very real and common life doesn't teach you much about it, because we humans don't like to talk about our mistakes. We do gladly share our success stories and wins, but I believe we should also be open and confident enough to talk about our defeats and struggles.
That is where a good book comes in, it's therapy and motivation, under the refuge of solitude.
The tough part is finding a book you would actually enjoy; for you it may be fiction, it may be the only genre that inspires and motivates you, but what book you end up liking is up to you to figure out. Sometimes it's a hit or miss, but as you keep collecting and reading, you will become more efficient at recognizing a "fitting" book for yourself.
Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins is the book that I'm currently reading. I've heard about David Goggins before, saw a few videos too, it was all quite intriguing, that is what lead me towards getting the book. The man surely is a unit, a mentality monster; the things he has been through, and still he somehow managed to make it, that right there gives us hope.
I've read around half of the book so far, but the disciplinary motivation I've received came in a full dose. Lately I have been slacking on my reading routine though, but whatever I've learned from this book in the past month or so is still present, in some corner of my head, there to remind me about my purpose.
There's also nothing like a good and intense workout, I don't know why, but a good workout motivates me in every way possible. A clear mind, a straight road and destination ahead, every distraction goes on a break at that moment and time.
Nowadays the workouts aren't as intense, since I don't have my gym membership anymore, but I've somehow made peace with the equipment and gear I have at home. I used to think that a gym is necessary to maintain my fitness and to clear my mind, but it's more about just heavy breathing and sweating I'd say.
A cold shower after the workout is a good way to finish it off, but I find a warm shower every now and then much more relaxing. A good shower for about 5 to 8 minutes helps me think clearly, get rid of the fog; only God knows how many brilliant ideas people have come up with in their bathrooms haha. Our minds just works in wondrous ways when we make peace with solitude, even the littlest of details and changes starts to make a difference.
I'm no disciplined demi-god; I have my flaws, I have my scars, all I know is that I am enough, and I am trying. I've been pushed off my tracks many, many times, afterwards I've gladly grabbed onto different trains towards different destinations too, but what I'm really proud of is my can-do attitude, the one that won't let me quit.
I might not get back up on my feet instantly, but when I do get up and adpt, there's no stopping me. 🥊🥊