You simply can't build wealth without using your willpower to make daily decisions that aren't immediately satisfying.

Those daily decisions are the building blocks of getting rich, and they include setting aside time for budgeting, forgoing unnecessary spending, and saving and investing for retirement.

*Willpower to budget - the budget is recognized by personal finance experts as one of the most important practices in good money management -- because you have to pay attention to your spending before you can change it. "Everyone should budget."

*Willpower to spend less - Once you build a budget, you have to follow it. And that requires you to tap into your willpower and say no when spending opportunities present themselves.

*Willpower to save and invest - When you budget and spend less, you free up cash. You should use that cash to build an emergency-investment fund and save for retirement. You can take willpower out of the equation by automating your retirement plan contributions and investment choices. Set aside $500 monthly and forget about it. If you invest those funds in the stock market at a 7% return, you'll amass more than $600,000 after 30 years. It really is that simple.

Think of your willpower as a muscle. Start by practicing it in small ways, maybe by choosing a budgeting session. You will get better at it over time. Eventually, you'll find you enjoy making the "right" decision over the instantly gratifying one. That's when you know you can set any financial goal and meet it, which is precisely how wealth is built.