Have you ever let distractions or temptations derail you from your course or prevent you from doing as you ought to? Failures to use willpower are caused by a variety of physical, mental-emotional, and social variables rather than being an indication of personal weakness.

This book explores the nature of willpower as well as its development. There is much helpful advice and clever justifications of the relevant biology and psychological mechanisms.

Exercises are a significant component of the book as they help readers become more self-aware, a necessary skill for anyone wishing to improve their drive and willpower.

The author instructed a course at Stanford called “The Science of Willpower.” To succeed at self-control, you need to recognize how you fail. The best way to enhance self-control is to identify how and why you lose it. The basis for self-control is self-knowledge. Each chapter dispels a prevalent self-control myth.

Willpower is the ability to exercise self-control when it is required. Improving your self-control requires you to comprehend why you lose it and what you can do to stop it.

This book is an adaptation of Kelly McGonigal’s well-known Stanford University course, “The Science of Willpower.” Each chapter of the book, an extension of her 10-week course, comprises a significant scientific discovery and (ii) exercises or strategies you can apply to improve your self-awareness and handle everyday situations.

What Is Willpower and Why It Matters

Willpower is more than the ability to say “no” to temptation. It’s actually made up of 3 powers to help you become better:

  • “I will” power: Doing things that improve your quality of life;
  • “I won’t” power: Not doing things that impair your happiness, well-being or success; and
  • “I want” power: Focusing on your most important long-term goal.

Exercising self-control involves being motivated at the appropriate time. Remembering your true desires will help you act appropriately and resist inappropriate behavior. We all can regulate our impulses. Your physical health, financial security, scholastic and professional success, the quality of your relationships, and your level of stress and happiness all depend on how much you use them.

The science of self-control is divided into various elements by Kelly McGonigal in an organized manner. She gives you some scientific background in each segment to assist you in understanding how willpower functions, as well as activities to help you increase self-awareness and (ii) deal with practical willpower issues.

In the end, self-control is based on three abilities: self-awareness, self-care, and goal memory. The idea is to be attentive to your choices instead of running on autopilot.

We advise you to purchase the entire book because it will cover all bases and address your concerns.

Happy reading!