Shoot Your Willpower Through The Roof

How to increase your self-control & resist temptations.

In life, we are faced with two choices: short-term pleasure vs. long-term freedom from regret. The choice is simple but not always easy to make. When we want something badly enough, it can be hard to resist the urge to give in to temptation.

This is where self-control comes into play. Self-control is the ability to resist temptation and delay gratification in order to achieve a goal. It’s a skill that can be learned and developed over time with practice. Think of it like a muscle — the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.

It’s no secret that self-control can be the difference between eating healthy and indulging in a sugary treat, completing a task and putting it off until later, or succeeding and failing. If you’re looking to boost your self-control, look no further!

“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ― Marcus Aurelius

Part I: The Foundation

Awareness

Awareness can be difficult often, but it’s essential to be aware of what situations or circumstances make it harder to stick to your goals. Once you know what your triggers are, you can develop a plan to deal with them.

Vice-versa identify your positive triggers for accomplishing a task — these can be your reward for completing it. For example, personally, I consume one jelly bean only for every article I create.

This helps me to signal my brain that the only way to get the dopamine from eating jelly beans is to finish after the task is completed. As a result, I trigger myself to start with my tasks. Note: I’m not a candy person, so whenever I start to crave a jelly bean, I know that my only option is to put myself to work.

Set realistic goals based on how well you know yourself.

Trying to overhaul your lifestyle overnight completely is bound to lead to failure. If you’re trying to eat healthier, start by cutting out processed foods or eating more fruits and vegetables. If you’re trying to save money, start by setting a budget and sticking to it. Minor changes are easier to stick to than big ones.

Visualize your goal and the actions you must take to achieve it.

It can be helpful to visualize your goal — what it looks like, feels like, and smells like. What does success taste like? It’s easier to resist temptation and stay on track when you have a clear picture of what you’re striving for.

Furthermore, see yourself taking the steps necessary to achieve your goal. Visualization could also include meal prepping for the week, going for a run, or researching. When you can picture yourself taking these actions, it’s easier to turn them into reality.

“What is now proved was once only imagined.” ― William Blake

Part II: The Strategies

Develop a plan for how you will deal with your triggers.

If you know that being hungry makes it harder for you to resist temptation, have healthy snacks on hand. If you know that seeing others indulging in something you’re avoiding is a trigger for you, try to avoid those situations or distractions.

Have an accountability partner, community, or mirror.

This could be a friend, family member, co-worker, or anyone else who will help you stay on track and accountable for your goals. Having someone to check in with can help keep you motivated and focused on your goals.

Remove temptation from your environment.

If there’s something you’re trying to avoid, get rid of it! If you’re trying to eat healthier, don’t keep junk food in the house. Don’t carry your credit cards with you if you’re trying to save money.

“Our bodies are our gardens to which our wills are gardeners.” ~ William Shakespeare

Part III: Implementation

Start with baby steps.

Remember that small changes are more likely to stick than big ones. Trying to make too many changes at once is likely to lead to failure. Start with one or two goals and slowly add more as you become more comfortable.

Set a daily or weekly goal and reward yourself when you reach it.

This could be something like working out three times a week or eating out only once a week. Whatever your goal is, make sure it’s realistic and achievable. Then, reward yourself with something you enjoy when you reach it. This will help keep you motivated to continue reaching your goals.

In addition, at the end of each month, take some time to assess how well you’ve been doing and what could be improved. This will help you stay on track and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Make a list of the pros and cons.

When you’re feeling tempted to indulge or give up on your goals, take a step back and make a list of the pros and cons. This will help you see the situation more clearly and make a decision based on what’s best for you in the long run.

Forget the results, focus on the progress in the beginning.

It’s important to focus on your progress, not the results. When you see yourself making even small steps forward, progress already made will help keep you more motivated and focused on your goals than the results.

“Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.” ~ Niccolo Machiavelli

Part IV: Maintenance

Find a new hobby or interest.

Having other things to focus on can help take your mind off of whatever it is you’re trying to avoid. Find something that brings you joy, and stick with it!

Keep a journal.

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you work through them and see things more clearly. It can also be a helpful way to track your progress and reflect on your successes.

Talk to someone.

If you’re struggling to stick to your goals, talking to someone can be incredibly helpful. They might be able to offer some insight or advice that you hadn’t considered before.

Remember WHY you’re doing this.

When you’re feeling tempted or like you can’t do it, remember why you started down this path in the first place. What are your goals? What do you hope to achieve? Keep those things in mind, and let them motivate you to keep going.

“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” ~ Winston Churchill

The Bottom Line

Self-control is a skill that can be learned and developed over time. Understanding your triggers and implementing the strategies above can increase your self-control and resist temptation.

Just remember to be patient with yourself, take things one step at a time, and focus on your progress. With effort and practice, you can achieve great things!

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This post was researched and inspired by these sources:

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/202204/how-increase-your-self-control
• https://fixwillpower.com/blog/21-willpower-quotes/

This content is for informational purposes only. It was not created to be a substitute for professional guidance, diagnosis, or treatment. Not all information may be accurate. Consider consulting with a professional or a specialist.