When You’re Not Feeling It, Push Through: The Discipline That Drives Success

At 12, Tarah frequently scribbled her water‑skiing ambitions on bright, artistic paper. Some targets were immediate performance goals, while others projected a distant horizon—namely, earning a spot on the U.S. team. Her competitive spirit was fueled by a single aim: a national championship.

One Saturday, the lake was wind‑gusted, overcast, and rough enough to challenge even seasoned skiers. Tarah’s father, anticipating a productive day, announced he would prepare the boat. Tarah hesitated, “Dad, I don’t feel like skiing today.” He replied, “I understand. I’ll get the boat ready.” She repeated, “It’s nasty out there, and I really don’t feel like practicing.” He said again, “I know, you’re right. I’ll get the boat ready.” Frustration mounted until he said, “Tarah, it’s perfectly fine you don’t feel like skiing, but what does that mean for your goals? Let’s do it anyway.”

In business and life, we often chart goals and outline a path. Yet, there will be days when motivation dips. The key is to act regardless of how you feel—feeling like it is not a prerequisite for progress.

Executing hard tasks frequently feels uncomfortable. Yet champions and high‑performers persist through that discomfort. True discipline requires digging deep and doing what must be done, even when the urge is to avoid it. As Jim Rohn wisely said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

To elevate performance, audit a typical day or week and pinpoint the moments that demand resilience. Here are common examples:

• Completing post‑sale paperwork.
  
• Making “cold” calls to prospects.
  
• Speaking before a peer group or any audience.
  
• Initiating small‑talk with strangers.
  
• Addressing a behavioral issue with someone.
  
• Receiving and processing feedback on your work.
  
• Writing a detailed report.
  
• Sticking to a budget.

The secret lies in discovering the “psychic income” that follows conquering the urge to avoid the unpleasant. Those who master painful tasks report an internal payoff—satisfaction and fulfillment that offset the initial discomfort.

President John F. Kennedy once asked Rice University students, “Why does Rice play Texas? Because it is the hard thing!” He used this to explain why the U.S. should aim for the moon—because the moon mission was the hard thing we must do.

Four mental gymnastics steps can help you override the “don’t feel like it” impulse:

1. Recognize you have a choice: the easy path of avoidance or the challenging route of action.
2. Ask yourself three guiding questions: What would a role model choose? Why would that choice impress me? What would they gain?
3. Reframe the scenario—decide if you want to become that person. The answer then becomes clear.
4. Act immediately, without hesitation.

Success is measured not only by what you achieve but by what you become in the process. The pain of discipline yields lasting growth, whereas avoidance breeds regret.

Remember: you are more likely to generate action by acting first, then cultivating the feeling. Commit to doing what others won’t, and you’ll reap rewards they cannot.

About the author:
David Benzel is a leadership speaker and peak‑performance coach, author of Chump to Champ: How Individuals Go From Good to Great (Advantage Media). As founder of Winning Ways, he has collaborated with Allstate Insurance, Sprint/Nextel, and The Villages. His credentials include six national water‑skiing titles, five records, coaching the U.S. water‑ski team, and establishing an international training center. To learn more, call 800‑616‑1193 or visit www.davidbenzel.com.