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If you have willpower, you can achieve everything, but how, tell me, to acquire willpower? Modern scientists give a very simple answer to this question: to train. Develop with exercises like normal muscles. Several books about it.
«Development of Willpower»
Walter Mischel, MIF
This book is the result of nearly half a century of research by psychologist Walter Mischel, author of the famous marshmallow test. The one in which the children were offered to give up one piece of marmalade (marshmallows, marshmallows — it doesn’t matter, there were actually many options) in order to get two later. And who, over time, proved that the ability to put off pleasure for later is one of the main factors for achieving success in life: a successful career, harmonious family relationships, and a high sense of one’s own well-being.
But “The Development of Willpower” is not only a story about how to cultivate this valuable quality in yourself. It is partly also the autobiography of a truly outstanding scientist, and his reflections on the nature of our desires and the ability to follow (or resist) them.
«On the limit»
Eric Bertrand Larssen, MYTH
Tests make us stronger — according to this Nietzsche formula, the Norwegian trainer Eric Bertrand Larssen has developed a weekly training for everyone (without leaving the “production”), which involves maximum willpower, full concentration of attention, going out of the comfort zone and a lot of self-restraint. In particular, the rise at five in the morning, the rejection of social networks and heavy physical exertion.
Target? To reach the limit of our capabilities, the limits of which most of us have a vague idea. Feel the contrast — between the mobilization of all forces, physical and mental, and blissful peace. Awaken dormant emotions and abilities. It is unlikely that such an experiment will change life dramatically, but it will definitely give a lot of impressions and discoveries of oneself.
«Strength of will. How to develop and strengthen
Kelly McGonagall, MYTH
A fascinating, witty, and at the same time quite a serious guide to strengthening self-control. Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., psychologist, professor at Stanford University, writes about willpower not as an abstract virtue, but as a specific property that has quite understandable psychological and even physiological sources.
“Strength is just a muscle that can be trained with specific techniques and exercises,” explains Kelly McGonical. And this, you see, makes the task very easy. According to the author, inside each of us there are three forces: «I will», «I will not» and «I want». To have the will means to control these three forces and “turn on” each of them in time. Ways to help improve self-control are known to many, but the whole point here, as you understand, is not in the novelty of the idea, but in practice.
«Psychology of Achievement»
Heidi Grant Halvorson, MYTH
Social psychologist, author of many scientific works on motivation and psychology of achievement Heidi Halvorson writes here about setting and achieving goals, but also pays a lot of attention to self-control. She gives the results of experiments and studies that have shown the effectiveness of certain strategies in strengthening willpower. It is enough, for example, to exercise regularly, monitor your posture and your finances, and actively use your non-dominant hand in order to noticeably increase self-control.
And here are some more interesting strategies — you can «infect» the willpower of another person (warning: in some circumstances this can hurt), eat some sweets, or stop without starting to do something if the willpower is depleted. Details are in the book.
“Get out of your comfort zone. Change your life. 21 Methods for Improving Personal Efficiency»
brian tracy, MYTH
«Eat that frog!» — this is the original title of the book by American manager Brian Tracy. The author borrowed this extravagant image from Mark Twain, who once said: if you eat a frog in the morning, the rest of the day promises to be wonderful, because the worst of today is over. “The Frog” is the biggest and most important work that we most often put off until later, but which, according to Tracy, should be started in the morning first.
Just as strenuous physical activity stimulates muscle growth, complex tasks force us to pull ourselves together and strain our brains. Always starting the day with the work that we would like to postpone, we deprive ourselves of a “retreat” in advance. In addition, having completed it, we receive a large charge of positive energy, so that other things are easier for us.