What's Up Docs? Doctors' Notes: Willpower
Mar 25, 2025
Kimberly Wilson, a chartered counselling psychologist and former governor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Mental Health Trust, shares her expertise on willpower and behavior change. She discusses the emotional complexities of willpower, advocating for self-acceptance and compassion as keys to overcoming negative self-talk. The conversation also highlights that relapses are natural and should be viewed as part of personal growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with willpower to foster healthier habits.
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Rethinking Willpower Misconception
- Willpower is not a fixed resource to be excavated, but often misunderstood due to societal blame on personal health failures.
- The concept is more about changing incentives and reasoning rather than purely relying on inner strength.
Build Distress Tolerance
- Slow down the internal conversation where the choice between healthy and easier options happens.
- Build distress tolerance to endure the discomfort involved in changing behaviors.
Self-Criticism Makes Effort Harder
- Xand struggles with self-critical thoughts that compound the difficulty of starting to run.
- Kimberley advises letting go of self-judgment to reduce suffering and make effort more bearable.