WILLPOWER

WOW! What a book! 

Have just finished reading a book titled 'WILLPOWER' by Roy F Baumeister & John Tierney. It has taken me a good 4 months to read this book, there is quite a lot of detail and statistics which i admit made it hard to relate to at times! 

Took plenty of notes along the way and here is my summary of things i have learnt and can take from the book

 (also here is a clip that the book tells us about delayed gratification and the way some/most/all humans think and the decisions we make daily)

With Willpower, we must choose our battles. We cant control the stress’ in our life, but we can control the calm moments we are given. In this time we need to work out what we are after in life, and set out to learn new skills and disciplines.

Pick a day of the year (possibly your birthday) and each year reflect on what’s worked, what has not, what goals you still have active. Plan and execute, and reflect on this day each year. Have an idea of what you want to accomplish, and each month plan ahead, also factor in there will be setbacks and hurdles, and its fine if you don’t reach your goal each month, as long as you are gradually on the improve each month your already winning.

Write out a to do list, and with your to do list, it is essential that you write down the next step. What is the next step…..then its written down on paper and out of your mind. A date and time for the next step would be of even greater benefit.

  Sleep, great for the body and the mind….must have adequate sleep! This is something I know I do not get enough off, so will need to exercise willpower to make sure I am well rested

We must also keep track of all habits we would like to see improve, measure, record and repeat.

Reward often…whe we set a goal for ourselves, we must reward ourselves often. Small goals deserve small rewards but once we tick off a big goal, then we must reward ourselves accordingly....(fair trade i think!)

The last part of the book sums it Willpower up perfectly, and I was going to quote it here, however I have used Willpower to not ruin it for anyone who has the Willpower to read the entire book to understand the last page.

Delayed Gratification to you all

RD