Kelly McGonigal, a Stanford psychology professor and author of 'The Willpower Instinct', dives into the fascinating world of willpower. She explains its biological nature and the three types: I-want, I-will, and I-whisper. Discover how shame and environment can undermine self-control and learn practical strategies to enhance it, like sleep and social support. McGonigal shares insights on overcoming common challenges and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in the pursuit of personal goals. Get ready to harness your willpower!
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insights INSIGHT
Willpower as Instinct
Willpower, often seen as a conscious effort, can be considered an instinct.
Like instincts for food and sex, it's a natural human capacity to prioritize survival, even within internal conflicts.
insights INSIGHT
Three Powers of Willpower
Willpower isn't a single entity; it comprises "I won't," "I will," and "I want" powers.
These powers involve different brain areas and neurochemicals, sometimes working in opposition.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Strengthening Willpower
Strengthen willpower by creating a supportive environment for yourself, much like a child's development needs support.
Be your own leader, fostering trust and reducing feelings of scarcity or vigilance.
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How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
Kelly McGonigal
In 'The Willpower Instinct,' Kelly McGonigal explains the science behind self-control and provides practical strategies to enhance willpower. The book is based on her 10-week course at Stanford University and covers topics such as the physiology of self-control, the role of stress and dopamine, and techniques like meditation and breathing exercises to improve willpower. McGonigal breaks down willpower into three categories: 'I will' (doing things that improve your life), 'I won’t' (avoiding things that undermine your health and happiness), and 'I want' (focusing on long-term goals). The book offers experiments and challenges to help readers apply the theories in their daily lives and improve their overall health, happiness, and productivity.
Many of our goals in life -- from losing weight to saving more money -- require willpower. But what is willpower anyway, why does it feel like it fails us so often, and what can we do to make better use of it
My guest today explores the answers to these questions in her book: The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It. Her name is Kelly McGonigal, and she's a psychology professor at Stanford. We begin our discussion discussing what exactly willpower is, how it can be described as an instinct, and what goes on in your brain when you utilize it. We also unpack the idea that there are really three different types of willpower: I won't power, I will power, and I want power, and how these powers can be increased.
We then spend the rest of our discussion digging into the limitations of willpower, so we can avoid putting ourselves in situations where it's likely to fail us. We talk about how shame, the people who surround us, and even, ironically, making progress with our goals, can all lead to the sapping or loosening of our willpower. We end our conversation with Kelly's best tips for getting the most out your willpower.
The Art of Manliness 
