Willpower/ That Flimsy Superpower We All Pretend to Have Together (#306)

Ah, willpower. That mystical force that’s supposed to help us resist cookies, get out of bed at 4:30AM, and finish a workout without whining. It’s like the superhero of self-discipline—except sometimes it forgets to show up when you really need it.

Let’s be honest: if willpower were a person, it would be that flaky friend who promises to help you move but "accidentally sleeps in." You want to trust it. You believe in it. But when it’s 10 PM and you're three episodes deep into a show you swore you weren’t going to start? Yeah, willpower is nowhere to be found. I love that show HEROES! 

The Myth of the “Strong-Willed” Person

We all know at least one person who seems to have willpower made of titanium. They drive racecars, drink green juice, meditate daily, and apparently enjoy rice cakes. They make the rest of us look like raccoons rummaging through a fridge at midnight.

But here's the thing: most of them aren't superhuman. They just figured out how to trick themselves into doing things consistently. They build habits. They structure their day. They remove temptation. In other words, they don’t rely on willpower alone—because they know it’s kind of a mystery. This is something that I have been working on for almost a decade and it still is very difficult. The mindset must change.

Willpower Is Like a Phone Battery

You wake up with a full charge (hopefully), and throughout the day, every decision you make drains it just a little. Whether you’re deciding what to wear, whether to answer that email nicely or passive-aggressively, or choosing between a salad and pizza—it’s all costing you willpower points. Discipline is the key ingredient.

That’s why it’s easy to say no to cake at 9 AM and almost impossible at 9 PM. Your willpower battery is dead. You're running on low power mode, and all logic is out the window. Cake wins. Every time. I’m hungry!

So… Is Willpower Doomed?

Not at all! The trick is to stop treating willpower like a full-time employee and start treating it like an intern. Use it for small, high-impact moments—not for managing your entire life.

Here are a few fun, low-stress ways to keep willpower on your side:

1. Make decisions in advance. Want to work out tomorrow? Set your clothes out tonight and put your shoes at the door. Want to eat healthier? Don’t keep junk food in the house. If you don’t buy it, you won’t have access to it. (Note: please don’t go to the grocery store when you’re hungry) No temptation = no need for heroic willpower.
2. Lower the barrier. If you can’t bring yourself to write 500 words, write 50. If 30 minutes of a workout sounds like a chore, do 10. Starting is half the battle. Once you begin, momentum does the rest.
3. Reward yourself often. You’re not a machine. You need dopamine. So celebrate the small wins, even if it’s just checking something off a to-do list or getting through a meeting without screaming internally. My beautiful and amazing girl encourages me to enjoy my little video games from time to time and I have realized this is a reward for myself.
4. Forgive the lapses. Sometimes you will eat the donut. Or skip the gym. Or binge-watch a series you weren’t even that into. That doesn’t mean you lack willpower. It means you’re human. Be kind to yourself and move on. Each time this happens, use the information to propel you forward.

Final Thoughts

Willpower isn’t some magical, fixed trait you either have or don’t. It’s more like a muscle that gets tired, needs rest, and sometimes pulls a disappearing act when you need it most. I really am struggling a bit with this lately, but I am confident I will bounce back, I always do.

So instead of relying on willpower to carry you to your goals, build habits that don’t need it. Make your environment work for you. Laugh when you slip up. And remember—you’re doing better than you think.

Besides, if sheer willpower was all it took, we’d all be morning people with six-packs and zero screen time. And honestly… where’s the fun in that?