In my previous post on Understanding Self-Control, a skill must for Success in Life we have understood the importance of self-control, what we can control and what we cannot control in our life. Today let us understand the very important aspect to control your life “Willpower”. Willpower is what can make you mentally strong. Let us discuss this in details.
Meaning of Willpower:
Dictionary Meaning:
control exerted to do something or restrain impulses.
Understanding the meaning in detail, let us become mentally strong:
Willpower is the ability to resist short-term gratification in pursuit of long-term goals.
Let me give you a simple example to understand Willpower. Willpower is all about overcoming your natural impulses to eat cakes, donuts, skip your workout, snoozing the Alarm Clock, checking e-mails while in meeting, checking Whats App or Facebook while have conversation with Family or Friends.
Quotes on Willpower (Mentally Strong):
The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will. ~ Vince Lombardi
Most of life’s actions are within our reach, but decisions take willpower. ~ Robert Mckeehttps://www.awakenthegreatnesswithin.com/20-inspirational-quotes-on-willpower/
Willpower is not something you have or something you lack. It rises and falls.
Biggest enemies of willpower, who stops you from becoming Mentally Strong:
- The biggest enemies of willpower:
- Temptation, self-criticism and stress
- Three skills, which lays the foundation for Willpower and self-control, are:
- Self-awareness
- Self-care
- Remembering what matters most
How to become mentally strong by boosting willpower:
10 minute meditation:
Practicing mindfulness meditation for a few minutes each day can actually boost willpower by building up the area of the brain that regulate emotions and decision-making.
Go slow, Go systematically:
To achieve a big change we should always break the same in smaller part and start completing parts to achieve your Goal. for example, if you want to do diet, start with the small step of avoiding junk foods, then adding healthy food and so on.
Power of paying attention:
- We need to pause for couple of seconds, before we think, before we say anything, or before we take any decisions.
- Just practice this one thing for a month and you will see a magical change in your life.
Get a Good Sleep:
A good rest is mandatory for our body and mind to work perfectly. Moreover, adequate rest improves our willpower and self-control and provide a good environment for the brain to function. 7-8 hours of sleep is an adequate rest.
Deal with your temptations:
Plan in advance how you will deal with your temptation. For example when you are going to attend, a party decide in advance that you will not have more than one piece of desert.
Do the opposite of what we are used to do:
- When we do something opposite of what we are used to do normally, that requires willpower and self-control.
- For example, consciously use your hand other than the dominant hand; say for example for brushing your teeth or to open the door or to hold your mobile phone.
- When we make small changes and succeed, we develop the ability to make bigger one.
Make your To-do List:
we will be stressed if we are not completing simple task in time or tend to forget things. A “to-do” list is a good tool to remember your entire task and once it is in written form and in front of you. You will complete your tasks in time and this will reduce your stress level and increase your willpower.
Take breaks:
You will not always be at your peak in exercising willpower or self-control. That is why small breaks are important for your body and mind to re-energize.
Reward Yourself:
Play it like a Game. Decide your reward of completing something in advance and your brain will automatically work toward achieving the same.
Do not quit at any cost:
When we start making any positive changes, there will always be hurdles. Anticipate your hurdles in advance and plan your action how you will deal with it. When you feel like quitting, just remember why you have started at first place? Why do we want change? What we are trying to achieve?
Answering these questions will increase your willpower and you will continue walking toward your Goal
The truth is, the brain can be reprogrammed. You just have to give proper thoughtful commands.
If you truly want to practice self-control, YOU have to start by controlling YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.
Be mentally strong by willpower, Conclusion and Key Take away:
Self-control and Willpower like a muscle can be strengthened with the right practice. The more you exercise on a regular basis, the stronger you get.
The above-mentioned are the 10 most effective and practical ways to strengthen your willpower and practicing self-control. Do not try all 10 at once. However, choose one or two best suitable ways for yourself and practice them regularly to achieve the desired results.
As your self-control increases, the more your gain the ability to control and direct your life in a manner that is harmonious with the true you.
It is better to master the mind than to be mastered by the mind.
