The Easiest Way To Resist Temptation--For Me

The Easiest Way To Resist Temptation--For Me

“It is not abstinence from pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without even being worsted. ”

— Aristippus, quoted in A History of Ancient Philosophy

This reminds me of one of my favorite lines from Samuel Johnson: “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.”

This issue comes up a lot with the Strategy of Abstaining, when Abstainers and Moderators debate their approach to resisting a strong temptation.

Abstainers find it easier to resist a strong temptation (chocolate, french fries, Candy Crush) by giving it up altogether; Moderators find it easier to indulge in moderation.

Moderators argue, “Why abstain, why be so absolute, why give up a pleasure altogether?” But for Abstainers — and I say this as an Abstainer myself — abstaining is the way to gain mastery over pleasures. It’s easier to abstain, and it’s a relief. “Abstinence from a pleasure” not for the sake of abstaining, but because it’s easier. I repeat, for us, it's the easiest way to resist temptation!

Are you an Abstainer or a Moderator? Take this Quiz.

In Better Than Before, I have a whole chapter dedicated to the Strategy of Abstaining — but as always, I must emphasize, this is not a strategy that works for everyone! It doesn’t work for Moderators!

And most of us are a mix of both, depending on what temptation we face.

How about you? How do you best master your pleasures?

__________________________

Do you enjoy taking quizzes to boost your self-knowledge? You'll love my Four Tendencies Quiz, which tells you if you're an Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, or Rebel. More than 60,000 people have already taken it -- discover your Tendency here.

Gretchen Rubin is the author of the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Her upcoming book, Better Than Before, reveals the secret of how to change habits--really. Read more at gretchenrubin.com. Follow her here by clicking the yellow FOLLOW button, on Twitter, @gretchenrubin, on Facebook, facebook.com/GretchenRubin

Ainin Sofia

Attended Universiti Teknologi MARA

9 年

I always thinking about this. Thanks madam.

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Bharadwaj kk

Intern Public Relations at Time Magazine

9 年

Nice art...

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MK Jain

Tire technologist and R&D specialist in Product and Processes for all types of tires.

9 年

Nice article. I think its all in the mind. Depending on what suits you the best, one can abstain in moderation at will..!

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Todd Halberg

Financial Advisor at Prudential

9 年

The nugget in Gretchen's post on abstinence or moderation was her sidebar...get enough sleep.

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Kay Williams Barber

Managing Director – Account Service and Customer Service OPEN CONNECTOR LION All connections welcome [email protected]

9 年

Gretchen, I think we have to be smart about our choices in the world. I have a hard time with complete denial, but I believe one can make compromises.

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