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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

WALKING THE ILLUMINATED PATH | Willpower

In Need of a Dose of WillPower





A friend stopped by last night and decided to share box of yummy pastries. Should I call this person a friend? Umm, I digress.  As I sipped my coffee this morning I realized I was already on pastry number 2. Yikes! What happened to my willpower?  I think it left the building.  So instead of indulging in pastry number 3 I decided to sit down and share with you.  I can’t be the only one having weak moments.

So what do you do in those times when you willpower decides to just tiptoe away?

Well, Wikihow has 12 Tips for having more willpower.  Let’s take a look together.

1.      Become aware of situations where you feel you lack a choice (in other words, where you lack willpower). If needed, write it down.

2.     Identify a way in which you can do whatever you feel you're forced to do, but in a way that you will enjoy it. Give yourself a reward every time you do something which you do not like (lacked will power to do earlier) literally you are bribing yourself.

3.      If you are a slow learner, force yourself to take action on small decisions, like taking out the garbage. Once you finish the task, look back and feel good for having conquered one small piece of a big task.

4.     Move on to big decisions once you find yourself getting more and more successful with small tasks. It is important that you reflect back on your task and feel good for having conquered a task.

5.     Become aware of the fact that without will power we are nothing short of weaklings who don't have any zest.

6.     Refuse to be lazy. Overcome habitual procrastination by deciding right this minute that you are hard-working and able to do anything that you set your mind to.

7.      Focus on the long term benefit of using willpower and discipline to reach your goal. This alone should motivate you to keep going no matter what.

8.     Push yourself to do the next right thing toward your goal. Mental strength comes from overcoming challenges and hurdles. What's uncomfortable today becomes a habit tomorrow if you push hard through the discomfort of something new and different.

9.     Complete tasks done as they present themselves. Waiting for something to happen to relieve you from a task further weakens your mind into thinking you can't do what you need to do.

10.   Set small daily goals and get them done no matter what. Practicing self discipline on a daily basis strengthens your willpower.

11.    Start an exercise program or a healthy eating plan and commit to it for a designated amount of time.

12.   Motivate yourself to practice willpower by rewarding yourself for your accomplishments. Set up your rewards ahead of time so that you know what you're working toward.

I am feeling more in control and powerful already, I think I will go for a nice long walk. Take that pastries!

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