The Willpower Instinct (Kelly McGonigal) – Audiobook Summary
Oct 16, 2023
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Kelly McGonigal, expert on willpower and author of The Willpower Instinct, discusses the importance of willpower and self-control. She explains the factors that affect willpower and offers strategies to overcome temptations and improve self-control. Additionally, she explores the power of social proof and self-awareness in building willpower.
Willpower failures are not a sign of personal weakness but are influenced by physical, mental, emotional, and social factors.
Willpower encompasses three powers: 'I will' for activities improving quality of life, 'I won't' for refraining from hindering behaviors, and 'I want' for prioritizing long-term goals.
Deep dives
Understanding Willpower and Self-Control
In the podcast episode, the book 'The Willpower Instinct' by Kelly McGonigal is discussed, highlighting the importance of willpower and self-control. The book explores the various factors that influence willpower, including physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects. It emphasizes that willpower failures are not indicative of personal weakness, but rather a result of conflicting thoughts and desires within our brains. The author provides insights from fields such as economics, psychology, neuroscience, and medicine, offering practical tips and strategies to overcome distractions, temptations, and procrastination.
Understanding the Three Powers of Willpower
The podcast explains that willpower is not solely the ability to say no to temptation, but encompasses three powers: I will, I won't, and I want. 'I will' refers to engaging in activities that improve quality of life, 'I won't' involves refraining from behaviors that hinder happiness or success, while 'I want' focuses on prioritizing long-term goals. The importance of self-control lies in finding motivation at the right time by remembering what one wants, enabling individuals to make choices that align with their goals and resist impulsive actions.
Factors Influencing Willpower and Strategies for Strengthening It
The podcast highlights the influence of the brain, body, and social factors on willpower. The brain's prefrontal cortex, responsible for logical thinking and focus, plays a crucial role in willpower. It can be strengthened through self-awareness exercises, such as meditation and breath control. The body's physiological state, particularly the heart rate, affects self-control, with stress impairing willpower. Strategies to maintain willpower include reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in physical activity. The podcast also emphasizes the impact of social influences, encouraging positive role models, social support, and public commitment to foster willpower.
Audiobook Summary of The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
All of us missed goals at some point because we gave in to distractions or temptations, or failed to do what we should. Willpower failures are not a sign of personal weakness, but the result of several physical, mental-emotional and social factors. This book explains willpower using insights from economics, psychology, neuroscience, and medicine, with a range of tips and strategies to help you overcome distraction, temptation and procrastination.
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