Will Power

Willpower isn’t something you have or something you lack. It rises and falls. And while it’s impossible to maximize your willpower for every moment of every day, it is possible to make a few changes to your day and your routine so that you can get the most of your decisions and make consistent progress on the things that are important to you. In this guide, I will break down the benefits and science of willpower, explain why willpower fades, and arm you with some simple strategies to boost willpower.

You can click the links below to jump to a particular section or simply scroll down to read everything. At the end of this page, you’ll find a complete list of all the articles I have written on willpower.

I. The Benefits of Willpower

• What is Willpower?
• The Science of Willpower
• What Determines Your Ability to Exercise Willpower?

II. Why Willpower Fades

• Your Environment Drives Your Willpower
• How Sleep Deprivation Affects Willpower

III. Simple Strategies to Boost Willpower

• Develop a Ritual
• Use Temptation Bundling
• Plan for Failure and Chaos With the If/Then Technique
• The Power of Decision Elimination