THE PROBLEM WITH WILL-POWER

Many, many people have successfully overcome a lifelong habit such as smoking using what they call ‘will-power.’  If that can work for you, then by all means, please decide to just stop smoking and stick to it.  That’s really the best way.

For many of us, it often feels like there’s a hole at the bottom of our pockets through which our will-power seems to be spilling out.  To illustrate our point, how many of you have ever had this thought, “Dammit, I’ve had enough!  The next one is gonna definitely be my last!”  Of those of you for whom that sounds familiar, how many of you actually gave up smoking?

Well, it’s not your fault.  A big part of the problem is our cultural understandings of what ‘will-power’ actually is.  In our society in very subtle ways, we are taught that will power is a limited resource.  We use expression such as, “I just didn’t have enough will power.”

I want to tell you something loud and clear and I need you to get this: YOU DON’T HAVE ANY WILL-POWER!  Zero…nada…zilch.

That’s because Will-Power is not a thing.  Will-power is not something that you either have or don’t have, unlike your heart, lungs, or kidneys.

To ‘will something’ is actually a process.  It’s something you ‘do’, not something you ‘have’.  This distinction sounds basic, but the implications are extremely important.  If Will-power is a process, then it’s a process that you can learn to enjoy.  You can begin to use it in ways that helps you to more successful.  All you need is to find out ‘how’ successful people have done in the past, and start to do it yourself.  We understand this process and will help you to go through it.

The second thing wrong with Will power that hardly anybody else ever realizes, is that the ability to ‘will’ something is often an ability that only ONE PART OF YOU possesses!  We’ve ALL had the experience of setting the alarm clock a bit early and saying to ourselves, “Tomorrow, I’ll get up early, and I’ll exercise!  I’ll jog!  I’ll sort out my taxes! Etc, etc.”

Let me ask you a question: was the ‘you’ that woke up the next morning always the same GET-UP-A-GO-YOU that had gone to bed filled with motivation?  Not always, right?  In fact, not usually.  Instead, the ‘you’ that scrambled to turn off the alarm clock as fast as possible was probably the JUST-STAY-IN-BED-ANOTHER-FIVE-MINUTES-YOU. 

We understand this and know how to integrate goals so that you remain committed in different contexts.  Our daily messages, affirmations and assignments are designed to naturally and easily shift your attention to another you.  Your best you.  That part of you here, now, reading this, who is motivated to give up smoking.  The part of you that has a smile and knows how to feel good about yourself.  And we know how to ensure that the ‘best you’ can radiate out into every and all aspects of your personality.  In fact, just reading this is part of the process.   It’s part of the journey.

Sign up now for the rest of the adventure!