I have heard that willpower is finite and every person starts their day with a limited capacity.
On the other hand there are people like gym goers or sportspersons saying that they can muster up more will power if they have the right mentality at the right time.
I don’t know which one is right, but is it possible to increase one’s capacity for will power ? If so what kind of exercises or training methods do they have to use ?
There’s a very good video/podcast episode by Andrew Huberman called something like “How to improve tenacity and willpower”, and it discusses the idea of willpower being a finite resource. The gist of it is that it is finite if you believe it’s finite, and can be partially recovered by costuming glucose if you believe glucose is that finite resource.
As for whether or not you can train it, yes you can. The same brain region is responsible for this willpower regardless of what the task is, so if you get practice drawing on this willpower in one part of your life, it will improve your ability in other aspects.
Lots of good answers here, I just want to add a book recomendation: Atomic habits. It is a practical way of training your “willpower”
You probably can, I think that simply being able to finish a task you previously find impossible should increase your willpower next
Willpower is just an abstraction. It is not a “real” thing, consumed once you do something you wouldn’t.
That said yes, you can train it. Or rather, condition your behaviour so you do things that you’d otherwise avoid. The how-to is actually simple:
- Choose a task to perform. Push it a tiiiny bit harder.
- Did you manage to push it harder? If yes, reward yourself. If not, skip.
- Repeat 1 and 2 for some time.
- Gradually decrease reward frequency, make it a bit random. Oddly enough this makes the desired behaviour to stick further.
Eventually you won’t need the reward, but the behaviour is still there.
What you consider a reward is up to you. For example, for me snacking on cheese is a reward, but it might not be for you. With the right mindset, even mundane things can be a reward, like taking a comfy shower or playing some games.
We’re just dogs, aren’t we?
That rings a bell
I could really use a meal about now
Apes, actually. Stupid apes.
Pretty much. Or, rather: this shit should be viable for any smarter animal, including dogs and humans.
Willpower is 90% preparation.
Willpower is desire pushing drive. Ya gotta want it.
I have heard that willpower is finite and every person starts their day with a limited capacity.
Time for a new source of information. Whoever told you that is wildly incorrect.
Doing anything will deepen the brains pathways for doing it. Anyone will have more willpower to go to the gym today if they have found ways to make sure they go five days a week for the past four weeks.
Willpower is really just a fancy way of saying resolve to keep a habit.
