4 Tips For Self-Control & Willpower

Let’s Talk About Self-Control + Willpower🧠💪🏼

Being honest, it takes a lot more self-control + willpower than I would like to do yoga on my rest days.

Yoga is a part of my rest day because it allows me to step away from my phone and focus on just being present with my body and breath. (Obviously not so much this time because I was filming but you get it)

Our brains instinctively look for ways to instantly gratify ourselves so my immediate desire is to sit down, watch Netflix, or scroll through social media.

Understanding the benefits of this is one thing…but actually doing it is another. And this can apply to eating right, doing the dishes, going to the gym, and anything else that we put off even though we know is good.

I'm reading a book right now called Misbehaving by Richard Thaler. In it he references two opposing parts of out mind - the Planner and the Doer. The Doer is instinctive, irrational, and wants the best for our current self. The Planner is calculated, precise, and wants the best for our future self.

It's key to note that the Planner can try to influence the Doer, but cannot control it. For example, the Planner can make a workout schedule for you, meal prep your entire week, and organize your To-Dos. But that doesn't always keep the Doer from sitting home, ordering fast food, and play video games.

Here are my tips for self-control + willpower:

1️⃣ start slow - add good habits before taking away bad ones (sure have that brownie…but also add in one different veggie per week (No they don’t cancel each other out, but eventually your diet might end up consisting of more veggies than brownies)🐢

2️⃣ limit your options - can’t control yourself to not get that 2nd plate of dessert? Eliminate the option. Have fewer desserts around so you can’t submit to temptation as easily. 🙅🏻‍♂️

3️⃣ reward yourself accordingly - don’t workout just so you can have dessert, do it because it’s good for your health ‼️ FOOD IS FUEL, NOT A REWARD

4️⃣ get help - having someone else hold you accountable can be much easier than doing so yourself 👥