Willpower: Who Needs It? Not Me

What is this mysterious creature, this intangible element, this phantom that we seek for so hard, yet can often never find, or keep control of? This thing called 'willpower' and who really needs it anyway?

For me, I know it. I admit it. I am weak.

Yep. Weak.

I have the willpower of a 6-week old puppy.

But I have come to realize that I don't really need willpower, at least not for most 'avoidance' issues.

How's that?

First, I know I am weak, or at least that I have my weaknesses.

This is a key element. Know your weaknesses, and admit to them. Denial is another issue altogether.

Willpower will only take you so far, and yes, you may actually need it, but how do you succeed when you know your willpower, frankly, is more like will-weakness?

First off, this technique works best for 'not doing' though you can rearrange it at times to work for you in the 'doing' areas of your self-improvement and goal oriented areas of your life and work.

Since I know I am weak, or lack willpower in certain areas, the thing I practice is simple: avoidance.

That's right. Simple, isn't it? Too simple, you say?

Maybe not.

When you know you are prone to giving-in in certain situations, then the best 'willpower' tactic that takes zero willpower is avoidance.

Stay away from situations (and people) that put you in a position that brings out your weaknesses.

If you are trying to stop smoking, you should visit the smoking area at work? sit in the smoking areas at restaurants? drink coffee on your break with 'the smokers'?

Nope.

Stay away. Remove the temptation, or at least reduce it by not putting yourself into situations or being around those people who tempt you.

If you're on a diet, would you go to the all-you-can-eat buffet? Well, depends on the diet I guess, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't.

Allen Williams is a professional educator, speaker and writer. Get a free subscription to the PowerMeUp Newsletter and Goal Setting and Getting Course with a bonus book for a limited time at: http://www.PowerMeUp.com Personal and Professional Growth

Latest News


Record setting night for Blades in 12-0 rout of Lynx
OurSports Central (press release), WI - 7 hours ago
In goal Anton Khudobin (6-1-1) won his sixth straight and recorded his second shutout of the season and seventh blanking of his career by stopping all 20 ...

3A Girls' Soccer: Seattle Prep back in state final, setting up ...
Seattle Post Intelligencer - Nov 21, 2008
While the senior had some memorable moments there -- like her goal on the final penalty kick in last year's 1-0 state semifinal victory over Holy Names ...
Seagulls sail into championship HeraldNet
all 11 news articles

Washington Post

Clemson's Win Over UVa Keeps Bowl Hopes Alive
TheTigerNet.com, SC - 13 hours ago
... a Verica pass and returned it 31 yards to Virginia's 36-yard line, setting up Buchholz's second field goal of the game that produced the final score. ...
Two fourth-down stops prove critical The State
Cavs’ bowl hopes are dwindling News Virginian
all 57 news articles

Today is goal-setting day at Whole Child summit
Tallahassee.com, FL - Nov 17, 2008
This morning, the group will make plans for its new phase by prioritizing and setting measurable goals it can accomplish. "We are looking to have a better ...

Routt to hold goal-setting meeting
Jacksonville Journal Courier, IL - Nov 18, 2008
31 date for a goal-setting conference at the school, when parents, teachers, volunteers and others interested in the school will meet at Routt and spend the ...

New faces on Council discuss goal setting
Ypsilanti Courier, MI - Nov 12, 2008
With Council's goal setting sessions beginning Saturday, many members - old and new - said Water Street is first on their agenda. ...

HIGHTSTOWN: Onochie reaches goal of record-setting goals
Packet Online, NJ - Nov 22, 2008
(In soccer, a player gets two points for a goal and one point for an assist.) Onochie broke the record for most goals in a career by scoring all three goals ...

Bleacher Report

Red-zone blues sink Stanford
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 4 hours ago
To a man, the Cardinal players and coaches believe they have only themselves to blame for failing to reach their team goal of a bowl invitation. ...
No other rivalry has anything like 'The Play' FOXSports.com
Cardinal Bested Inside Bay Area
all 356 news articles

MadFriars.com

Padres Prospect Interview: Beamer Weems
MadFriars.com, CA - 8 hours ago
Riddoch, he also gives us some handouts on hitting and goal setting, we just got one today. I really like the information on them.

FOXNews

Can Obama create 2.5 million jobs?
BloggingStocks - 20 hours ago
But setting the goal and achieving it are two different things. In the next two months, Obama's economic team -- which will reportedly be announced on ...
Video: Obama Outlines Job Creation Plan AssociatedPress
Obama Vows Swift Action on Vast Economic Stimulus Plan New York Times
all 1,679 news articles

Resources


    Sorry Currently Unavailable