As summer fades and the new school year approaches, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty. You may be thinking about the challenges ahead—new classes, more responsibilities, and the pressure to perform. But here’s the truth: success in school (and in life) isn’t about huge, one-time bursts of effort; it’s about consistency, day in and day out.
Jim Rohn, one of the most impactful motivational speakers of all time, once said, “Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.” This idea is powerful because it shows us that we don’t have to be perfect to succeed; we just need to keep showing up and doing the work, even when we don’t feel like it. So, as you prepare for the new school year, let’s talk about how to stay motivated and why consistency is the secret to making progress.
Starting the year with big dreams and aspirations is awesome, but if you don’t break those dreams down into smaller, manageable goals, it can quickly feel overwhelming. Instead of aiming for vague things like “become the best student ever,” break that down. What can you do every week to make progress toward that goal?
For example:
Small goals help you stay on track and build momentum, rather than feeling paralysed by a huge task.
Here’s a link to a blog where we go into more details on How to Set Small, Achievable Goals.
Jim Rohn also said, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” Discipline doesn’t mean forcing yourself to work non-stop or punishing yourself for making mistakes. It’s about creating a consistent routine that becomes second nature.
Developing discipline isn’t about being perfect, it is about creating small habits that you practice daily, making sure that you take small steps everyday. Even if you miss some days, don’t be too hard on yourself or stop all together. Instead, just take those “FAIL” days (which are not really failures, but obstacles) as a chance to learn and reflect on what factors contributed to your challenges and how you can improve moving forward .
A consistent routine allows you to:
Start with something simple, like dedicating the first 30 minutes after school to reviewing notes or completing a homework task. The more you stick to it, the more automatic it will become.
Success is often built from small, consistent victories. You don’t have to wait until the end of the term to feel accomplished. Each time you finish a homework or an assignment, get through a study session, or meet a small goal, you’re moving closer to your larger ambitions.
Jim Rohn reminds us, “The major key to your better future is you.” You are in control of how much effort you put into each day. Celebrate the small wins along the way—it’ll keep you motivated and remind you that progress is happening, even if it’s not always visible right away.
It’s inevitable—there will be days when motivation is low. Whether you’re dealing with a challenging assignment, feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, or just tired of school in general, remember: consistency is more important than perfection.
Even if you don’t feel like doing your best one day, doing something—no matter how small—will keep you moving forward. Jim Rohn’s wisdom is clear: “Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.” Every time you push through a tough day, you’re building character and developing the habits that will help you succeed in school and beyond.
Finally, motivation isn’t always something that comes from within. Surround yourself with positive influences—whether that’s a study group, an inspiring teacher, or even quotes that speak to you. You’ll have days when it’s hard to find motivation on your own, and that’s when these external sources can give you a boost.
Find something that keeps you grounded and motivated. Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Or as my Mum used to drill into me "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are." Who are you surrounding yourself with this school year? Surround yourself with those who inspire you to be better, and you’ll find that your own motivation starts to grow.
The new school year is a fresh start, full of opportunities. It’s easy to get caught up in the big picture—the grades, the classes, the achievements. But the true secret to success is in the small, consistent actions that you take every single day.
Remember, “Progress is the result of consistent, small efforts.” — Jim Rohn. If you can develop a routine, set achievable goals, and stay disciplined, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. Your progress doesn’t need to be instant or perfect—it just needs to be steady.
So, as you start the new school year, focus on the little things you can do every day. Stay consistent, stay disciplined, and watch how your hard work pays off over time.
Write 3 of your school goals for this year. Remember to be specific about what the goals are; instead of writing "Be the best student EVER", perhaps you can write "Complete my assessments 3 days before they are due" or "Record my notes on Voice Memo and listen to them while I do my chores" or "Don't look at my phone until after I've showered and finished 3 daily tasks".
Finally, once you've written your goals ask yourself: WHY these goals are important to you? Do they align with who you are or who you want to become or are you doing it for other reasons like pleasing others? Start small and take gradual steps everyday toward your goals.