How willpower turns out to have been just another excuse…

Willpower is something you hear about a lot regarding our health and wellness decisions. How do we boost willpower? How do we build it to work with us instead of against us? Until recently, it was thought that willpower depletes and can only last for so long.

If you keep up with our blog, we previously talked about why diets don’t work. Sadly, I am not here to say that diets are magically working again. Instead, we now have a better understanding of how willpower works and contributes to our decisions. We mentioned that willpower depletes, but we now have a different take…

After more research, we are beginning to understand that willpower is more of an emotion and has a lot to do with how we think. What we think about willpower is how we actually act. If someone believes that willpower is a limited source and runs out, they will act as so and usually use ‘depleted willpower’ as a reason or excuse for decisions. On the opposite side, if someone believes willpower is infinite, they are more likely to sustain positive decisions for longer.

This could be as simple as saying no to a cookie or encouraging yourself to workout. Those who believe that willpower builds on itself and is sustainable, are more likely to continue these decisions and activities than those who believe there is only so much to be used.

This new concept helps explain that how we talk to ourselves and our beliefs are extremely important when making decisions. In addition, making positive decisions actually help empower following positive decisions.. Basically, willpower can build. (Quite the opposite of what we use to think!)

Not only that, but the amount of willpower can vary from decision to decision. Willpower has been found to be a lot more difficult to control when it is something we really do not want to do. So, if willpower feels weak, your body is typically trying to tell you something. It is likely something that you really do not want to do and are not ready to take on. Instead, try something smaller. Willpower is also much more difficult when there are too many choices. (A buffet for example.) Although we now know willpower does not have a set limit, it can still be overloaded and too much can be expected at one time.

So what if I just tell myself that willpower is infinite and empower myself on each decision, I could conquer any diet, right?!

Well, not exactly…

There are still many reasons diets don’t work. First, we typically try to make too much change at once. (Remember the ‘start 8am Monday and cut out all fun diet’?!) This overload of change is something we cannot handle and causes relapse of our decisions. (Remember, too many choices make it harder to control willpower.) In addition, we usually do not have a specific plan on making these changes so they are successful and sustainable. (We typically rely 100% on willpower and expect it to take down anything in it’s path.) Lastly, the changes normally do not address the basics. If we jump to complex habits, our basic habits never have the time to catch up. Building positive basic habits and decision-making systems you help avoid the need for complex willpower.

So what can you do to help use willpower to your advantage? What can you do to help yourself with health and wellness decisions?

First, understand that what we think about willpower is how we act. How you talk to yourself and the things you think help determine your actions and decisions. Make sure that you have a positive take, especially on willpower and decisions. From this, do not neglect the mental and emotional side of your behaviors. Most importantly, make sure that when you are trying to make a change, do not try to change too much without a plan and changing basic habits. It is true that willpower is not limited at a set point, but it can still be overloaded.

Looking for more on how to transform your thoughts, habits, and decisions? Reach out and we can put together a plan just for you!

-Kensie Haden