03 – The Limitations of Willpower
When you have willpower you’ll find it easier to commit to developing a new habit or performing a certain task. Willpower doesn’t come naturally, though, and it takes time, effort and self-control to use effectively.
And willpower can get you into trouble, if you aren’t careful.
Here’s the problem. Studies have shown that willpower is a finite resource. We all only have a limited amount of it on any given day.
So if you’re trying to change your life, it’s best to tackle your self-improvements one step at a time, or one habit at a time, for the purposes of this lesson.
If you try to change too many things at once, you are setting yourself up to fail.
That’s why My Inspired Year is designed so that you focus on developing one good success habit each month. It doesn’t always have to take that long either. If you are determined to form a new habit you can do so in as little as 21 days.
But, please, take the whole month to solidify your new habit. In addition, as you go along, use the feature for tracking previous habits. There is a place where you can track this month, last month, and the previous month. After 90 days, your new habit will have become an automatic part of your routine.
The best way to form a good habit is by repeating the task or activity over and over again. The more you do something the easier it becomes. You stop viewing it as a chore and accept it as part of your normal routine. That is the basis for forming a new, lifelong habit.
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. – Jim Ryun
