THE WILLPOWER INSTINCT: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

by Kelly McGonigal

All of us have missed our goals at some point because we gave in to distractions or temptations, or failed to do what we should. Why is it so hard to exercise self-control or resist temptations? In this book, Stanford University psychologist and educator, Kelly McGonigal, explains willpower using insights from economics, psychology, neuroscience, and medicine, and provides tested strategies to help you improve self-control, overcome distraction, temptation and procrastination.

In this summary, you'll learn:

• The 3 components of willpower (I will, “I won’t” and I want) that determine if you can exercise self-control when you need it.

• Why you lose self-control due to the effects of your brain and body, how willpower works like muscles, how we give ourselves the license to sin, how we confuse desire and happiness, how giving in to indulgences makes us feel worse, why we make bad long-term decisions, how willpower is affected by social influences, and why suppressing/denying your feelings or impulses will only backfire.

• What you can do about each of the factors above, including a list of practical exercises and strategies to help you develop self-awareness and address real-life challenges.

Who should read this:
• People who wish to improve willpower/self-control to improve their success and overcome distraction, temptation and procrastination;
• Coaches, trainers and people-developers.