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Discipline: Miracle Solution for Physical Activity?
2. The compass analogy
Discipline is like a compass: it points you in the right direction. But without a map, you don’t know where you are, or what obstacles lie in your path.
Having discipline is a bit like knowing how to maintain a direction, a course, despite distractions and unforeseen events. But it also requires having a map of the path, a clear understanding of where you are, the resources at your disposal, and the obstacles to anticipate. Without this map, and relying solely on the compass, you risk finding yourself in dead ends or taking a more difficult and arduous route than necessary to reach your destination.
Discipline refers to the consistency of effort, and it can certainly maintain a course (even a bad one!), out of loyalty to a rule. It can push us to “hold on” to an unsuitable program, to ignore the body’s signals, or to persist in routines that no longer meet our needs.
In the context of effective and holistic behavior change, this consistency alone is not enough: it must be rooted in an approach adapted to the person and which constantly adjusts to changes (in physical health, mental health, daily life, etc.).
That’s why, in counseling, I emphasize that the real work isn’t about “pushing harder,” but about lucidly redirecting one’s efforts to:
- Identify your internal reference points (values, emotions, needs)
- Observe your actual conditions (fatigue, weather, context)
- Adjust your itinerary without losing sight of your journey
Discipline then becomes what it should always have been: not a double-edged sword, but a tool to guide you in a direction you choose yourself, autonomously.
Thus, my role during motivational coaching sessions is not to preach discipline, but to help each person read their own map, to understand when to persevere, when to change course, and when to turn back. It’s not just the courage to continue at all costs that matters, but also, and above all, the ability to navigate strategically and with self-awareness.
And you, which analogy resonated with you the most? Do the situations described correspond to your experience or that of someone close to you? I hope that reading this article has allowed you to feel more compassion for your motivational difficulties and has encouraged you to observe your situation with more perspective and less judgment.
If you would like support or advice on this subject, you can write to me at [email protected]. Looking forward to discussing this with you there.
Author
After four years of medical studies in Guadeloupe and France, Gary decided to reorient himself to follow his passion for physical activity. He completed a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in physical activity sciences at the University of Montreal. Today, he specializes in the science of behavior change, a discipline that aims to make physical activity more accessible, regular, and realistic for everyone. As the founder of Kinobi Conseil, he provides personalized support to people experiencing motivational difficulties when it comes to physical activity. He is also a clinical instructor at the Kinesiology Clinic of the University of Montreal, where he contributes to student training.
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