Keeping the momentum

We’ve talked about a few things that should get you started this year and help you achieve your dreams: goal setting, agency and audacity.

But if you’re anything like me (or most people), some of that early enthusiasm may have faded by now. This is usually the point in the year when gyms start to empty out.

So what keeps you going once the external motivators (New Year energy, fresh starts, public resolutions) wear off?

The short answer is discipline. And yes, discipline is hard to cultivate. It’s the thing that carries you forward even when you don’t feel like showing up. This is important because discipline is relevant for consistency and consistency is the key to achieving goals. However, discipline is rarely pure willpower; it’s fueled by a mix of internal motivations and external structures.

If you’re struggling to keep up with the habits required to hit your goals, it may be time to revisit your why. Maybe it’s building expertise. Maybe it’s opening doors for future opportunities. If the internal motivations are not sufficient, perhaps you need to set up support systems like an accountability partner, a deadline, or a structure that makes quitting harder than continuing.

The goal isn’t to feel motivated all the time. It’s to keep moving, even when motivation dips.

What we are up to:

This month:

1. Applications for the Nov-Jan Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship have closed, but you can listen to this episode to prepare for the next cycle (April - May).

2. Also catch up on our latest episode on the Wageningen University Africa Scholarship Programme

Next month, we’ll be

1. attending Scholarwaka scholarship webinars.

   

2. Applying for the I-scholar initiative scholarship - listen to our episode here

   

Consistency is quiet. It rarely looks impressive in the moment, but it compounds. Keep showing up.

From Ojonugwa for Scholar ChitChat

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