Desire Leads to Discipline: Unlocking Consistency in Life, Health, and Business
Discipline is often misunderstood. It's not about punishment or restriction—it's about freedom through focus. And the root of true, lasting discipline isn’t willpower—it’s desire.
We often talk about motivation. The issue with motivation is that it is temporary. So what happens when motivation is gone?
Most of us rely on motivation. We never get to the part where we operate off discipline because we quit too soon. The biggest difference I have found between motivation and discipline is this: motivation is built around "feelings," while discipline is built around habits - a deeper instinct of doing. If you think I am motivated most of the time, you are highly mistaken. It's really just the opposite for me. If I left things up to how I "feel," I wouldn't accomplish anything!
I usually don't feel like working out. I don't feel like getting up at 5am everyday. I don't feel like writing all the time. I don't feel like taking phone calls sometimes. I don't feel like being around people sometimes. These are all feelings that won't help me get further in life, health, or business. Now my question for you is this: do you depend on how you feel or do you depend on the inherent desire to feel accomplished once you've done the thing you don't feel like doing?
Did you know that when you separate the word, desire, de = of or from while sire = the father. For those of us who are believers of God, He is our father. He desires more for us. He has a purpose for all of us. This is desire. Desire is longing for something. Longing and doing are two different things. We must stay focusing on what we desire while we DO the things that will get us further in life, health, and business. Otherwise, the alternative is staying stuck. We won't get anywhere if we are willing to stay stuck. When we rely on motivation, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We are not allowing ourselves to take small steps towards building discipline to accomplish what we desire.
Are you still with me? Pause here and think about something you desire. Think about the actions you're constantly taking to accomplish that thing? Are they consistent, small actions? Did you try to go all in and end up quitting? This isn't to judge. I have dealth with this more than you know. However, what I needed to realize is the only way I would get further and accomplish what I desire is if I took action. I moved the coaching I give others in health (meet me halfway because I can give you all the tools, but I can't do it all for you) into other areas of my life. This is how we develop better habits that serve us. What area of life do you desire to make some changes? What will you do to get there? What do you desire? On the days where you don't feel like doing what it takes to get there, refocus on the outcome. What do you desire? I ask this more than once for a reason. It's to program this question into your subconscious through repetition. Are you seeing a trend here? Repetition, discipline, desire, consistency. They all lead us to where we are meant to be.
For women, especially those balancing life, family, and entrepreneurship, the path to a consistent, purpose-filled life starts with clarity on what we really want. When you connect deeply to your desires—whether it's vibrant health, financial freedom, a thriving business, or spiritual alignment—you fuel a fire that makes it easier to keep showing up, even when it's tough. I know this because over the last year or so, this had to become a priority for me. Working on my PhD is great, but tedious. Learning real estate investing is great, but it's also tedious. Everything I do is tedious. However, I have a burning desire to leave a legacy behind. How will I accomplish that if I am not working towards building discipline in all areas? On the days where motivation fails me, I must focus on the desire. I must focus on how I want to feel later. Do I want to feel accomplished? Or do I want to feel like I let myself down? Take a pause here and reflect. What are your thoughts on this so far?
Desire: The Spark Behind Consistency
Desire gets you out of bed. It keeps you committed. It's the inner voice that whispers, "Keep going. You're made for this." Without it, discipline feels like drudgery. But with it, you create momentum.
Think about this: you don’t stay consistent with something because it’s easy—you stay consistent because you care. Now remember this quote and say it to yourself daily - Desire leads the way, and discipline keeps the rhythm. What does this statement mean to you? The why is getting you started. Building the habits and discipline keeps you consistent even through the most challenging of times. I live this. I know it. I talk about these things because it's how I must live my life if I want to get where I desire to be. Let desire be the stepping stone and the reminder of why you keep going.
Journaling: Your Secret Weapon for Focus and Follow-Through
One of the simplest, most powerful tools for developing discipline is journaling. It’s more than just venting or writing down thoughts. Journaling helps you:
Track your goals and progress
Reflect on what’s working—and what’s not
Stay emotionally aware and mentally clear
Reconnect with your why in difficult seasons
When life gets tough (and it will), journaling is your anchor. It reminds you where you started and why you’re not giving up. Writing about your goals in areas like spirituality, health, business, family, or mindset helps you stay present and focused—even in the face of setbacks.
I began writing as a teenager. In a world of chaos, it was my escape. It was my safe space. When I talk about journaling, I tell people, there is no wrong or right way. There is only the way that makes you feel better and helps you get further ahead. When you journal, just write. Don't make it complicated. It's YOUR time. It's YOUR thoughts. No one else needs to see it. This is for you and you alone. I believe in you.
No Quit. No Excuses. Just Growth.
Let’s be real: everything is hard at first.
Starting a new fitness routine? Tough.
Launching a business? Definitely tough.
Healing mentally or emotionally? So hard.
Rebuilding your finances? Not easy.
But if you quit every time something feels heavy or unfamiliar, you’ll never give yourself the chance to get better. That’s why a "no quit" mindset is everything.
“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” — Abraham Lincoln
You have to want it more than you want your excuses. That’s where desire comes in. When your why is powerful, your will becomes unstoppable.
Why You Need a Coach in Your Corner
Even with strong desire and a solid mindset, we all hit plateaus. That’s why having a coach or mentor isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Here’s why:
Accountability fuels consistency. Research from the American Society of Training and Development shows that having an accountability partner increases your chances of goal success by up to 95%. My coaches give my coaching back to me. They hold me accountable. I say all the time that people hire me to hold them accountable. I didn't get coined the "Tough Love" coach for no reason. I want to see others thrive. I am not going to sugarcoat things. I am going to help you past any trauma you may have and I am going to give you everything you need to keep going. This is what a coach is meant to do. They don't watch you fail. They remind you of your why - your desire.
A coach sees your blind spots. You can’t fix what you can’t see. Coaches challenge your limiting beliefs and push you to grow. If you think I got this far without coaches, you are highly mistaken. I have mentors (including the founder of Convene Communities, where you will find a thriving community, support, and plenty of resources to help you get further in whatever you choose to begin with). I have coaches. Just this year alone, I invested thousands in coaching programs that are helping me accomplish my goals and provide the accountability I need to keep going when times get hard. I have had bodybuilding coaches. I have had therapists. I have had mentors. I don't try to do it all by myself anymore. I used to, but honestly, that was much more stressful and led me down a dark path I no longer wish to go down. If you want something, get around others who are successful with what you...desire. Latch on and don't let go. Stay faithful and do the work. A year from now you will be glad you made that investment. Believe me, I know.
Investing in yourself increases commitment. Studies show that when people invest time and money in personal growth, they are significantly more likely to follow through and get results (source: Harvard Business Review). When I don't charge for my coaching, people don't take it seriously. We miss $500 much more than we miss $50. I also mentor other coaches so I must lead by example. Value yourself and others will value you. Invest more and you will put more time and effort into it. I don't know how to not pour into others. I also know that I deliver fail-proof results IF you meet me halfway. I will also show you where you can be that hope for someone else. I don't just give you a program. I give you a proven blueprint. I make it easier for you. I take all the mistakes and lessons learned over the last 25+ years and I gift wrap it for you. Invest in yourself. You will never regret a great investment in the one person who should never let you down - YOU!
You are your greatest asset. When you bet on yourself, you send a message to the world—and to your future—that you’re serious about the life you’re building. Do you believe in yourself or will you continue to let the enemy in your head win? I pray you will walk in your God-fidence and stop allowing societal norms to limit you. Value yourself and understand that one day, the small daily steps you take will lead to monumental results. Don't focus on the feeling, focus on ultimate goal. When you want to pull back, focus on the why. Why did you start in the first place? NEVER lose sight of that!
Focus Form: Turn Your Desires Into Discipline
To help you apply what you’ve read, I’ve created a simple form you can fill out. It’s designed to help you reflect and set intentions in the most important areas of your life:
Spirituality
Family
Finances
Health & Nutrition
Mental Health
Mindfulness
Business & Purpose
Click here to fill out your Desire & Discipline Focus Form
https://forms.gle/Vvf5TfrdYEuSupwR9
In Closing: Stay the Course
Discipline doesn’t come from force—it comes from alignment. it doesn't come from being "busy." It comes from being productive and loyal to where you want to be. It comes from a burning desire to walk in the purpose that has already been laid out for you. Don't fight it. I know all too well that we spend much more energy trying to run away from our purpose than we do walking into it. From knowing what you want, why you want it, and refusing to quit until you get there.
Start journaling. Clarify your desires. Stay rooted in your why. Invest in support. Join a community like the Lady J Empowerment Community. Engage. Get to know others. Be vulnerable. And above all, keep going.
You’ve got this—because you want this.
Call to Action
If this message speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you. Share your biggest takeaway in the comments—or send me a message. And if you're looking for a coach to walk this journey with you, let’s connect. Schedule your Get to Know You Call with me today. It's free! The only thing you might lose is 20 minutes. What you will gain is clarity and a roadmap. The choice is yours. What will you choose?
Desire. Discipline. Destiny.
You’re one decision away from a powerful shift. This leads to something else we must consider - Choice. It's the power of choice. Our choices matter. What will you choose today? Will you read this blog and take action? Will you share it with someone else and create an accountability partner? Or will you read this and go back to where you were? No one is saying that being stuck is horrible. It's usually comfortable. However, what I know is that we can never get further in life or operate in our purpose if we are willing to stay comfortable. This is the un-comfort zone. I welcome you with open arms!
References
American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) on accountability and goal achievement
Harvard Business Review: “People who invest in coaching outperform their peers”
Forbes: “Why Hiring a Coach Is One of the Best Investments You’ll Make”
