I will start working out. I will build my business. I will do it!
How long do such ambitions last?
Without the right systems in place, probably not long.
Everyday life gets in the way. Your other commitments. Time-consuming. Without a support system, it’s almost impossible.
Willpower is a myth.
Not everybody has enough of it. And those who do, don’t look at it as if it was willpower.
Why?
Because it’s freaking tough to force yourself to do stuff. Every single day. Stuff you don’t necessarily want to do. Stuff that isn’t necessarily complicated. But stuff that has to be done. To move forward.
Can willpower get you started?
Sure.
But trying to run on willpower alone is draining. Takes your precious energy. Fast.
So what’s there to do?
Routines, habits, and automation
First of all, you have to identify with what you want to achieve. Who you want to become.
For example, if you want to start going to the gym, you are now an athlete. Working out, eating healthy, resting is what you do. As simple as that.
There’s nothing strange about doing these things. They’re simply necessary.
You’re not the guy or gal that goes to the gym occasionally. You are a gym goer.
It becomes a part of you. Imagining a life without it becomes tough and seems unreal.
Next, you have to get into the habit of taking the fundamental steps regularly.
You can schedule meetings with yourself. Put it as an appointment in your calendar.
Automation will set in once you built your habits.
Habits turn into routines.
Easy decision-making
Say you want to eat healthy.
A way to automate your decision making is by having a couple recipes to fall back on.
You only buy the ingredients for these recipes, so there’s nothing “unhealthy” within reach, and then only decide between the couple options you gave yourself. Switch it up once in a while.
Don’t want to think about what to wear? Automate it and save time by buying the same outfit multiple times (we all know a couple examples of this). A less radical approach could be an easy mix and match system. Something that doesn’t require unnecessary thinking.
What habits are you currently developing?
I have come to believe that willpower depletion is not really a thing but it can affect us.
That motivation is the poor's man tool and discipline is the rich man's secret.
That we can all do it but we most won't.
That I can. but not necessarily will.
That we can, and surely will.
You got it!
This reminds me of myself. Thank you for the reminder. Have a great day!
Great post. Put the willpower into designing systems. Re-brand yourself into the outcome you want to achieve.
Thanks for the good post!
Wouldn't call it a myth but certainly habbits triumph. Also you need systems to help that willpower, if you eat right you get more energy, wake up late take a cold shower etc
Great post. Keep it up <3
I totally agree with your statement.