Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Nov 2007:30 AM PST
-08:30 AM PST
Learn what truly sets the UC Riverside MBA apart and how it helps in your professional growth
Nov 2211:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Do RC/MSR passages scare you? e-GMAT is conducting a masterclass to help you learn – Learn effective reading strategies Tackle difficult RC & MSR with confidence Excel in timed test environment- Nov 23
11:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease. 
Nov 2510:00 AM EST
-11:00 AM EST
Prefer video-based learning? The Target Test Prep OnDemand course is a one-of-a-kind video masterclass featuring 400 hours of lecture-style teaching by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder of Target Test Prep and one of the most accomplished GMAT instructors.
29 Jun 2025, 10:20
Kudos
Bookmarks
Why Discipline Matters More Than Motivation in GMAT Prep
There will inevitably be days when you simply do not feel like studying for the GMAT. You might be tired, stressed from work, distracted by other responsibilities, or just mentally drained. On such days, it is easy to tell yourself that skipping one study session will not make a difference. But that thinking can lead you down a slippery slope.
The truth is, one day of skipping study can matter. Skipping once can turn into skipping twice. And then suddenly, you are off track. That is why it is so important to rely on discipline, not just motivation.
Motivation is unreliable. It comes and goes. Discipline, on the other hand, is a habit. When you are disciplined, you study even when you are not in the mood. You might not do your best work every single day, but you show up anyway. And showing up consistently is what produces results over time.
That does not mean you have to study for hours on an off day. Even 20 to 30 minutes of focused review or light practice keeps you in rhythm and prevents your prep from losing momentum. More importantly, it sends a clear signal to yourself that your goals matter and that you are committed to achieving them.
Building discipline also creates something powerful: momentum. Over time, as you keep showing up, you will find that motivation begins to follow your actions. When you stay consistent with your GMAT prep, you start to feel more confident and in control. That confidence fuels motivation, and the cycle continues in a positive direction.
So, the next time you are tempted to skip a study session, ask yourself what kind of student and future business school applicant you want to be. Then open your materials and put in the work, even if just for a short while. Your future self will thank you.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep
Moderator:
