It’s a new year and the one thing you're hearing everyone else is:

“New Year, New Me.”

Maybe you’ve said it yourself.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But it’s so commonly said that it’s turning into a bit of a catchphrase or the ‘slogan of the new year.’

However, some people take this sentiment more seriously.

They sit down and outline some goals for the year.

They make the intention that “this is the year my life changes.”

They know they won't magically wake up one day to the partner of their dreams, living in their dream house with millions in their bank account.

(Though that would be amazing to wake up to).

No, they know they need to make it happen.

They need to take action.

So they create a plan and they see the new year for what it can be: an opportunity.

This is who this week’s newsletter is for and how you can be one step closer to making all your goals for this year a reality.

The Chance To Start Over

It’s a new year, new day and new opportunity.

You wake up full of energy and optimism.

“Today is the day I start. Today is the start of my new life.”

You sit down, write down your goals, and create an action plan.

You set your target date, and you are ready.

The first two days of creating your new life?

You’re unstoppable!

You hit the gym, work on your project with intense focus, stick to your diet, and go to bed on time.

You feel invincible.

But then… something changes.

You wake up this morning and it’s raining.

You tell yourself, “I’m not going to go to the gym because it’s raining. I’ll go in the afternoon.”

It gets to the afternoon and you’re tired, so now you say, “It’s okay. I’ll take today off and go tomorrow.”

And this is the beginning of the end.

As Life goes on, more unexpected challenges come your way that derail you.

In obvious or sneaky ways.

And despite your best efforts, things start slipping.

• You’re less consistent with going to the gym.

• You’re too tired to balance your day-to-day work and this project.

• You meal prep less, your diet goes out the window and you order takeouts here and there.

• You skip workouts more days in a row.

• Your work is piling up which means more late nights.

Before you know it, weeks are turning into months and you’re nowhere close to the “new me” you promised yourself to become.

But what happened?

You were so motivated.

You made the plans and set the dates and everything.

What changed?

It goes back to the first answer I gave: “You were so motivated.”

You must be wondering, “huh? What’s wrong with being motivated? Shouldn’t I be motivated?”

Let’s explore why although great for starting change, motivation isn’t the best for maintaining long-term change.

The Short Life Cycle of Motivation

Motivation is powerful and exciting.

It inspires you to take action and to pursue change.

It gives you that burst of energy that says, "I will do this."

It’s the spark that ignites your journey toward a better life.

But like the spark of a match, motivation is fleeting.

And you need more than a spark to get a fire going.

One of the reasons is because motivation is emotion-based.

One day you wake up energised and ready to tackle your goals.

The next, you feel sluggish and overwhelmed, and that initial spark is nowhere to be found.

When your emotions dip, so does your motivation.

This is why so many New Year’s resolutions fail.

Everyone is caught up in the hype of a new year, but when that hype fades, so do they.

People rely on their emotional state to drive consistent action.

And if your ability to take action depends on feeling motivated, your progress will always be inconsistent.

Motivation alone isn’t enough.

Success isn’t about showing up and doing the work when you feel like it.

Feelings fluctuate.

If you want to succeed long-term, it’s about showing up and doing the work regardless of how you feel.

It’s about showing up and doing the work because your future and your goals matter more than your current circumstances and feelings.

It’s about doing the work whether you feel like it or not.

Motivation is a feeling. Discipline is action.

If motivation is the spark that ignites the fire, discipline is wood and steady fuel that keeps it burning.

Discipline: The Real Superpower

Discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it.

It’s about showing up for your goals no matter how tired, uninspired, or distracted you feel.

It’s what separates those who achieve their goals from those who merely dream about them.

When you cultivate discipline, you build a foundation that doesn’t fluctuate with your emotions.

Life may throw curveballs at you, but discipline ensures that you stay on course.

The power of discipline lies in consistency.

While motivation fluctuates, discipline remains steady.

Each small, consistent action you take compounds over time, bringing you closer to your goals. The more you show up and stay consistent, the easier it gets.

Discipline also builds something far more valuable than fleeting excitement: self-trust.

Think about it.

How do you feel on the days you say you’ll do something and actually follow through—even when it’s hard?

Proud.

Confident.

When you keep your word, you build your self-trust.

This strengthens your self-belief and reinforces the identity that you are someone who follows through.

You are someone YOU can rely on.

And that is so important when dealing with the curveballs and hardships of Life.

You should at least know that you have your back.

Moreover, discipline helps you:

• Regulate your emotions: Instead of being controlled by how you feel, you learn to act independently of temporary moods.

  You learn to acknowledge and accept your emotions without letting them dictate your actions.

• Stay focused under pressure: Life will throw curveballs. Discipline helps you keep moving forward when things get tough. To not lose sight of the end destination because an obstacle got in the way. You know where you're going and you're going to get there.

• Achieve long-term results: Big goals aren’t accomplished in a day. It’s about taking small, consistent steps that, over time, lead to significant change.

When rely on discipline instead of motivation, you unlock a world of possibilities.

Whether it’s sticking to a budget,

maintaining a workout routine,

or working on your business,

discipline is what bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

And here’s some good news:

No one is born with discipline.

They became disciplined by learning how to be disciplined.

It’s a skill.

And like any skill, it can be learned.

Becoming Your Own Superhero with Discipline

Here’s how you can start building the superpower of discipline today:

1. Start Small and Build Momentum

The biggest mistake people make when trying to build discipline is going too big, too fast.

Instead of overhauling your entire life, start with one small, manageable action. Something so simple it’s almost impossible to fail.

For example:

• Want to build a workout habit? Start by committing to 5 minutes of exercise each day.

• Want to read more? Start with 1 page a day.

The goal is to be consistent and build momentum.

Each small success strengthens your identity as a disciplined person.

2. Create a Non-Negotiable Routine

Discipline thrives on routine.

Decide on a specific time and place for your new action, and make it non-negotiable. Remove the decision-making process entirely. It’s not a question of whether you feel like it—you just do it.

Example:

• "Every morning at 7 AM, I write for 30 minutes."

• "At 6 PM every evening, I go for a 10-minute walk."

Over time, these routines become automatic, requiring less willpower to maintain.

3. Embrace The Discomfort

You’re not going to want to show up and do what needs to be done everyday.

And that’s fine, but your goals and commitment have to be stronger than your feelings.

Discipline involves doing things you don’t feel like doing.

You’re doing these things because you want a better future.

Start seeing the action you take —whether you feel like it or not — as building blocks for the life you want.

Are you really going to give up on creating your ideal life because ‘you don’t feel like it today’?

Embrace the discomfort of challenging yourself and going outside your comfort zone.

Let it be a sign that you are growing into the person you want to be.

4. Reward Progress, Not Perfection

Discipline isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.

There will be days when you fall short, and that’s okay.

What matters is getting back on track as quickly as possible.

Track your progress and celebrate small wins.

Each time you follow through on your commitment, acknowledge it.

This reinforces the behaviour and makes it easier to stay disciplined in the future.

Final Thoughts: Becoming the Superhero of Your Life

Motivation may get you started, but discipline is what keeps you going.

It’s the superpower that turns dreams into reality.

By building discipline, you can be stronger and more steady than your feelings.

Take consistent action and watch that consistency compound into incredible results over time.

Start small. Build momentum. Stay disciplined.

Most importantly, remember that every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.

A disciplined person who makes their goals a reality.

If you want to build unshakeable discipline and take your life to a new level in 2025, fill out this short questionnaire:

https://forms.gle/CZEnptZzYy4quwRN6

Let’s make this year a great year!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter and I’ll see you in the next one.

— Shana