Willpower: Who Needs It? Not Me

What is this mysterious creature, this intangible element, this phantom that we seek for so hard, yet can often never find, or keep control of? This thing called 'willpower' and who really needs it anyway?

For me, I know it. I admit it. I am weak.

Yep. Weak.

I have the willpower of a 6-week old puppy.

But I have come to realize that I don't really need willpower, at least not for most 'avoidance' issues.

How's that?

First, I know I am weak, or at least that I have my weaknesses.

This is a key element. Know your weaknesses, and admit to them. Denial is another issue altogether.

Willpower will only take you so far, and yes, you may actually need it, but how do you succeed when you know your willpower, frankly, is more like will-weakness?

First off, this technique works best for 'not doing' though you can rearrange it at times to work for you in the 'doing' areas of your self-improvement and goal oriented areas of your life and work.

Since I know I am weak, or lack willpower in certain areas, the thing I practice is simple: avoidance.

That's right. Simple, isn't it? Too simple, you say?

Maybe not.

When you know you are prone to giving-in in certain situations, then the best 'willpower' tactic that takes zero willpower is avoidance.

Stay away from situations (and people) that put you in a position that brings out your weaknesses.

If you are trying to stop smoking, you should visit the smoking area at work? sit in the smoking areas at restaurants? drink coffee on your break with 'the smokers'?

Nope.

Stay away. Remove the temptation, or at least reduce it by not putting yourself into situations or being around those people who tempt you.

If you're on a diet, would you go to the all-you-can-eat buffet? Well, depends on the diet I guess, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't.

Allen Williams is a professional educator, speaker and writer. Get a free subscription to the PowerMeUp Newsletter and Goal Setting and Getting Course with a bonus book for a limited time at: http://www.PowerMeUp.com Personal and Professional Growth

---

If You Dont Know Where Youre Going, Any Road Will Get You There

What do you want to achieve?Before you actually set up,... Read More

Great Goals Make You Stretch!

I began enhancing my personal energy level three months shy... Read More

Whats the Next Action Step?

Nothing gets done unless an action is completed. Everything we... Read More

What Words Will They Chisel Into Your Tombstone?

One day you will inevitably die. A morbid statement, I... Read More

Cheerleaders

This week's article assumes that you have chosen a goal,... Read More

Weave Your Own Web

Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

Are Your Goals Exciting?

This may sound like a strange question, but are you... Read More

Make Goals Specific

Saying that you want to be rich isn't enough. However,... Read More

How to Handle Getting Caught Off Guard

I remember the time that I swore to myself that... Read More

Goal Setting for Creative Professionals

You know that old saying -- if you don't know... Read More

Achieve Anything, One Step At A Time

No matter how ambitious your goal, you CAN achieve it.... Read More

Eight Steps to Taking Control of Every Situation in Your Life!

Like it or not, we are all gladiators. We go... Read More

Give Bad Habits the Boot!

Everybody has bad habits. Everybody. Now granted, some people have... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: Here Are Some Quotes that Can Change Your Life

Here are several quotes about setting and achieving goals. My... Read More

Reach Your Goals- Set Clear Intentions

It is from intentions that all things manifest. To intend... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Goal-Pooling

Goal-pool with friends or acquaintances Get together with a group... Read More

The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They... Read More

Hustle While You Wait

Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait -Thomas... Read More

Stop Setting Goals; Make Decisions Instead

Every private client I work with begins at the same... Read More

Combining the Mind and Effective Goal-Setting

Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of... Read More

Setting Goals for Success

"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More

Great Things Materialize Once We Start to Visualize

Watching the Olympics last week really amazed me. The feats... Read More

Set Positive Goals And Strive To Achieve Them

On 31st January 2005, two students from my martial arts... Read More

Motivation and Setting Your Goals

Easy Steps for Goal SettingGoal setting is the true secret... Read More

Creating Your Vision for Your Business, Career, and Life

Many people go through their daily lives feeling overwhelmed. There... Read More