The fifth principle in my willpower series states:
Love what you do!
Joe Rogan frequently gets asked how he can be so disciplined and have such an outstanding work ethic to accomplish such different things as to write and perform standup comedy, commentate for the UFC, host one of the world’s greatest podcasts, spend time with his family raising his two daughters, train jiu-jitsu, practice pool and bow-hunting, go on hunting trips, etc.
Joe’s answer is always the same: “It’s easy because I enjoy everything I do.”
The more you love what you do, the less willpower you need to do it. Discipline gets cheaper as love grows stronger.
Why do we have willpower? We have it to fight adversities that afflict even the most joyful life. Willpower is not meant for wrestling through a life built of adversities. Don’t use willpower to cope with a shitty life. Use it to build an awesome one!
Yes, “love” and “joy” are wishy-washy words, and all passionate motivation is bound to fade at some point. Yet there’s a more substantial motivation that prevents you from premature fatigue. This motivation comes from fulfillment, which requires two things:
- What you do is in line with your True Will and makes you proud of who you are.
- What you do provides your fellow men with positive value and makes you proud of what you give.
People go on diets where they eat foods they don’t like. That’s not a willpower challenge. It’s stupid. If instead they got to know themselves first and figured out what nutritious foods they enjoy eating, then they’d be successful. But following the latest fad diet is easier.
People go to the gym where they do exercises they don’t like. That’s not a willpower challenge. It’s stupid. If instead they got to know themselves first and figured out what type of exercising they enjoy doing, then they’d be successful. But following the fitness hype is easier.
People pursue not their True Will but their ego-driven will. That’s not a path to fulfillment. It’s stupid. If instead they got to know themselves first and figured out what they truly want to accomplish and give in life, then they’d be successful. But following a get-rich-quick scheme is easier.
To do what you love you must get to know yourself first. The enjoyment—and self-discipline!—underlying “doing what you love” comes not from hysterical passion. It comes from fulfillment rooted in self-knowledge and self-acceptance–that is, from true pride.
Ground your motivation in pride and fulfillment!
How long did it take you to discover your True Will? Tell me in the comments below!
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