So, there’s this new book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength” by Baumeister and Tiemey. Their premise- willpower is not what we think it is- and relies on us supplying it glucose. If you run out of glucose, your willpower is depleted. (Wow, does that ever screw up going on a diet, no?)
I know that sounds so politically correct that everyone will jump on it in a heartbeat. After all, you really wanted to start that new company, but you just couldn’t keep your glucose levels high enough to pull it off. My response- BS! And, I have just as much data to back up my concept- if not more- than Baumeister and Tierney.
Dr. Veronika Job (Zurich), along with Drs. Carol Dweck and Greg Walton (Stanford) just published an article in Psychological Science that, with four different studies, determines that willpower is only limited if you think it so. If you believe that you possess a finite amount of willpower, then you will reach the end of your limits easily. But, if you think willpower is renewable, then the harder you work towards your goals, the more able you are to employ your willpower. (Or, to quote one of my favorite children’s books, The Little Engine that Could (by Watty Piper), “I think I can…. I knew I could”. When you resist one temptation to quit, you are more successful at negotiating that next roadblock and, therefore. have more willpower.
The trick, if you want to consider it a trick, is to train your children (and yourself) to perform little tasks first. As you progress to more difficult tasks, you and your children know you can persevere and accomplish the tasks well and with proficiency. If you give them (or yourself) tougher tasks first, then, that difficult task (as the gatekeeper) makes us less likely to work harder on the next set. Obviously, in real life, as adults, we can’t step these tasks- but we should be cognizant enough to know we can “grow” our willpower; our young children can’t and need to develop these habits.
The researchers also proved that if folks read statements, “Sometimes, working on a strenuous mental task can make you feel energized for further challenging activities,” this was all the impetus they needed to keep on going. They did better than those who did not read the statements and, in one study, even upped their IQ results by 15%!
If you believe that willpower is limited, you seek out the signs for its failure. And, you find them and slack off. If you believe in limitless willpower, you don’t need that pop! Sugar water helps only those who think their abilities are limited. And, that’s a crutch that only profits Coca Cola or Pepsi.
If you believe that willpower is limitless, you keep on going. Which do you want to be? Where will YOU post your sign?
This is a very inspiring post, Roy. I love “The Little Engine That Could”. I agree with you… Our willpower is limitless. I will remember this article at the beginning of the year when I start my new diet plan.
Janette Fuller recently posted..Book Review: A Christmas Jar For Santa – A Christmas Jars Story
Sounds like a plan, Janette!
Thanks for your comments.
Roy
Great example on how our beliefs determine our behaviour and our results.
Whether you believe you can or you can’t you are right said Henri Ford.
I believe I can even when the results are not immediate;)
Thanks Roy for this useful reminder!
Thanks for your addition, Patricia.
While I am not wont to quote Henry Ford, I think you have provided something he uttered with which I can agree!
Roy
Hi Roy, will power is indeed the key ingredient to success in life. As you say, if we believe our willpower has no limits, then it doesn’t. If we are not as strong as we should be and allow our energy to get the better of us (on those odd days)… and we give in or lose grip… we’re doomed.
Great read.
Jayne
Jayne Kopp recently posted..The Safest Investment For Success
Nice to meet you, Jayne! Thanks for visiting.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Roy
Totally agreed! Dividing a big task is very effective. I can testify about it. Also, learning to find the fun in the task also helps, although this is not always easy to apply.
Gustavo| Frugal Science recently posted..It’s not your fault.
However we maintain our willpower is what works, Gustavo. Because won’t power is self-sustaining and aggrandizing!
Roy
I really enjoyed this post and the science behind it. It is important to divide large tasks into smaller steps. When I am leading a project, the most important thing to remember is how all of the tasks fit together and when to start them. By plodding along at the pace that you need you can accomplish so much without really realizing it.
Kristen recently posted..Air Travel With Kids: Tips for Reducing Stress
Great advice, Kristen!
It’s amazing what you can do when you don’t consider what is impossible or improbable to achieve!
Roy
I agree Roy 100% willpower is limitless we just need to remember this every time we face an obstacle. Thank you for your post
Anwar, thank you so much for visiting and commenting!
I am thrilled you enjoyed this post.
Thanks, so much….
Roy
As a man thinketh as he believeth and the BS he swallows gives the results. And all these books just prove how we can justify anything for us not achieving.
Touche, Roberta!
It is not as easy as you make it seem, Roy. I can get stuck doing the little projects all day long as a way to procrastinate working on the big one. Maybe because I take mood altering medications, I have trouble getting the juice to do the work. I can’t go off the meds even though I become superwoman because of other unwanted effects. Unlimited willpower sounds like a super idea–a dream.
As for Henry Ford, he did say a good thing there, but nothing excuses the other stuff he said.
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Ann:
The trick is to alternate between the big and the little. To break the big one into tiny tasks that can afford accomplishment- and then take on bigger chunks.
I agree with you about Mr. Ford, too.
Roy
Wonderful post Roy. I really enjoyed it and how true it is. It reminded me so much of the same principles of energy as described in The Celestine Prophecy. When we believe that energy is finite we spend time trying to take it from others. The trick is to understand that the energy sources in life are limitless if we believe that and know how to access them. In the same way our ability to achieve great things is only limited if we believe our willpower is limited……..self-defeating behaviours are very strong if you engage in them.
Carla Rogers recently posted..Three’s a Crowd – or is it?
Thanks for dropping in Carla!
I liked the Celestine Prophesy (and it’s sequel, as well). And, I agree with your comments! Thanks for helping make the concept crystal clear.
Roy