Why Perseverance Outshines Motivation
The True Key to Achieving Goals
Have you ever set a goal to get into shape, finish a cybersecurity certification, or develop a new skill—only to lose steam midway? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Many attribute their setbacks to a lack of motivation, thinking, “I need more motivation” or “I lost my motivation.” But is it really motivation that’s holding you back? In my view, motivation is often overrated, and the idea that you must “stay motivated” can be a misleading simplification.
Motivation is the spark—the emotional drive that gets you started. It’s that rush of energy you feel after watching an inspiring video or hearing an uplifting speech. While it can propel you into action, it’s not what sustains you when challenges arise. The real key to success lies in perseverance and discipline—the unsung heroes of achievement. Let’s explore why motivation isn’t enough and how shifting your focus to perseverance and discipline can help you achieve your cybersecurity goals.
Why Motivation Is Not Enough
Motivation is often fleeting and depends on external factors like inspiration, mood, or circumstances. You may feel highly motivated to pursue a cybersecurity certification after hearing about its career benefits, but what happens when the material gets challenging or the certification exams become overwhelming? The problem with motivation is its inconsistency—it can fluctuate based on external factors, leaving you struggling to maintain momentum.
Discipline, however, is what ensures you stay on track, even when motivation wanes. Let’s use the example of climbing a mountain: motivation may get you to put on your boots and take the first step, but discipline keeps you moving forward when the path gets tough. Without it, the initial burst of motivation will quickly fade, leaving you stuck in the middle.
Take the example of the CISSP or OSCP certifications. These require hundreds of hours of study and hands-on practice. Motivation might get you started, but it’s the discipline that helps you create and stick to a study schedule and perseverance that keeps you going when the going gets tough.
The Power of Baselines vs. Targets
When setting goals, it’s common to focus on targets—like “I’ll read 10 pages a day” or “I’ll study for 2 hours every day.” But I recommend setting baselines instead of fixed targets. Here’s why:
Think of a baseline as the minimum amount of work you commit to. For example, you might set a baseline of reading 4 pages per week. While you should aim to exceed this baseline, it creates room for flexibility and growth. If you treat it as a target, you may stop once you’ve met it, missing out on opportunities to push yourself further. With baselines, you’re free to exceed your minimum commitment without the pressure of a rigid target.
Setting a smaller baseline gives room for flexibility and consistency. For example, you might ideally aim to study for 2 hours a day most days. However, life happens—family commitments or unexpected events might limit your available time, and some days, you may only be able to spend 30 minutes. By setting your baseline to this minimum, achievable goal of 30 minutes, you ensure that you always have a realistic target to hit. On days when you have more time, you can exceed this baseline and study for 2 hours or more. This approach reduces the pressure of needing to meet an ambitious target every day, making it easier to stay on track while still allowing for flexibility when life gets in the way.
Focus on progress over perfection
Focus on net-positive results over perfection means prioritizing progress and tangible results rather than striving for flawless outcomes. Perfection can often lead to paralysis, where the fear of making mistakes or falling short prevents any action at all. By focusing on net-positive, you embrace continuous improvement, recognizing that small, positive steps—whether big or small—add up over time. It’s about making consistent, meaningful strides toward your goals, learning from setbacks, and moving forward instead of getting stuck in the pursuit of an unattainable ideal.
Shifting Focus: How to Prioritize Perseverance and Discipline
So, how can you shift your mindset and focus on perseverance and discipline over motivation? Here are a few practical strategies:
Redefine Success: Stop thinking of success as a product of fleeting moments of inspiration. Instead, see it as the result of consistent, disciplined effort over time. Celebrate small wins along the way—completing a chapter, learning a new concept, or progressing in a skill—rather than just focusing on the end goal.
Create Sustainable Routines: Build a schedule that doesn’t rely on motivation. Make personal or professional development, like reading, practicing cybersecurity skills, or exercising, part of your weekly routine.
Embrace Challenges: Discipline and perseverance thrive in adversity. See tough assignments, like responding to a major security incident or implementing a complex security architecture, as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Setbacks are inevitable; embrace them, and do not get discouraged by them. As long as you are making progress, no matter how small or slow, it doesn’t matter—what matters is that you’re moving in the right direction. Keep moving forward, keep progressing, and trust that each step, no matter how incremental, brings you closer to your goal. It's the momentum that counts, not the speed, and every bit of progress adds up over time.
Be Compassionate with Yourself: Perseverance is about continuing despite setbacks. When you fail—whether by missing a deadline or struggling with a concept—treat it as part of the learning journey and keep moving forward.
Conclusion: Perseverance Over Motivation
To truly achieve your goals, it’s essential to shift away from romanticizing motivation. While it has its place, relying on it as your main driver can be limiting. Instead, let’s celebrate stories of perseverance and discipline. Think of figures like Thomas Edison, who famously failed thousands of times before inventing the lightbulb—his success wasn’t due to fleeting motivation but his persistence in the face of failure.
Persistence and discipline often make the difference between success and failure. So the next time you feel unmotivated, remember: you don’t need to feel like doing something to do it. Lace-up your boots, take the next step, and let perseverance carry you toward your goals.