The Will to Win
Getting your brain wired into little goals and achieving them, that helps you achieve the bigger things you shouldn’t be able to do,” - David Blaine
What is Willpower?
Willpower, often referred to as self discipline, self control and self restraint is defined as the ability to control your actions, thoughts and how you behave.
It is what makes one to resist instant gratification in order to achieve long-term goals.
Why is Willpower Important?
From the definition, it's clear that self-control is crucial to achieving goals. Without willpower, one may succumb to temptation, leading to a reliance on instant gratification. While this might bring temporary happiness due to a surge in dopamine, it ultimately leads to unfulfilling outcomes in the long run. Developing willpower is essential to living a fulfilling life that aligns with your dreams and aspirations. It turns out that willpower is not unlimited and can be exhausted a phenomenon known as ego depletion.
Ego Depletion
Ego depletion states that our ability to make rational decisions is a limited resources that can be drained by hunger, self restraint and extreme fatigue.
In an experiment, researcher Roy Baumeister tested the concept of willpower by tempting college students with freshly baked cookies and then assigning them impossible geometry puzzles to solve. The students who resisted the cookies gave up on the puzzles much sooner than those who were allowed to eat the cookies or hadn't been tempted. This demonstrated that willpower is a limited resource that can be depleted, much like a muscle that gets fatigued. Similar results were observed in subsequent experiments, including one where subjects watched a sad movie and were instructed to suppress their emotions, and another where they were asked to avoid thinking about a white bear. These experiments showed that exerting self-control in one area can reduce willpower in other areas, making it harder to control emotions, thoughts, and behavior. The good news is, like a muscle, willpower can also be strengthened
Strengthening Willpower
Willpower can be strengthened through various exercises that help build self-control. Research has shown that by practicing self-control in one area, individuals can improve their overall willpower, leading to benefits in other areas of life. Here are some ways to strengthen willpower:
Posture exercises: Improve your posture by standing up straight or sitting up straight, which can help build willpower.
Handwriting exercises: Use your non-dominant hand for routine tasks like brushing your teeth, using a computer mouse, or opening doors.
Physical exercise: Regular physical exercise can improve willpower. People who exercise regularly showed improved self-control.
Ignoring distractions: Practice ignoring distractions, like scrolling through social media while focusing on a task. Make sure your phone is out of reach.
Goal setting: Set long-term goals and break them down into smaller steps to achieve them.
In conclusion, willpower is a vital skill that can be learned and strengthened. By understanding how to build self-control and discipline, you're already halfway to achieving your goals. Remember, turning your vision into reality requires hard work, patience, and perseverance. Put in the effort, stay committed, and practice self-control to unlock your full potential and make your dreams a reality.