How to build you willpower muscle
The Stanford marshmallow experiment was a series of studies on delayed gratification in the late 1960s and early 1970s led by psychologist Walter Mischel, then a professor at Stanford university.
In these studies, a child was offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately or two small rewards if they waited for a short period, approximately 15 minutes, during which the tester left the room and then returned.
In follow-up studies, the researchers found that children who were able to wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes, as measured by exams ,educational attainment, body mass index (BMI), and other life measures.
We all have examples in our life where we ignored something we want now in favour of something we want more later. You may have studied hard to gain a grade rather than doing something you might enjoy.
You may have cooked all day for a delicious meal with loved ones. Our willpower is strongest when we have taken the time to dig in to what we gain.
When our 'why' is fuzzy it cannot stand up against a clear and present temptation. When our why is clear temptation doesn't exist.
(This is assuming you haven't told yourself you cannot ever have something but rather you will decide when you have it)
If you are a first cookie eater that's fine this is just your brains preferred though pattern. Becoming a second cookie eater is just like working a muscle.
It starts off as a challenge but after a few months (even with a few missed sessions) it becomes a habit.
You are now just a natural second cookie eater.
You barely ever see the first cookie.
What is your cookie?
What is your why?