Take a photo of a barcode or cover
257 reviews for:
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
Kelly McGonigal
4.1 AVERAGE
257 reviews for:
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
Kelly McGonigal
4.1 AVERAGE
The Willpower Instinct is one of the best applied psychology books I've ever read. While many self-help books are still stuck in their Freudian or pseudo-scientific ways, Kelly McGonigal brings a fresh perspective to understanding willpower through the realm of neuroscience. Each chapter is filled with the latest scientific research, coupled with funny anecdotes from her classroom at Stanford, and packed with practical applications in having a better control on willpower. I could not have asked for a better book on the topic.
One idea that was surprising to me was the idea of reducing behavior variability. People often struggle with their willpower challenge (say, eating chocolate chip cookies whenever they see one) because they idealize their tomorrows (tomorrow I will start my diet and will no longer crave cookies!). To become more realistic about their tomorrows, they must reduce behavior variability by saying "If I eat this chocolate chip cookie, I will also have to eat chocolate chip cookies for the next 7 days (and actually do it)." People are more hesitant to make bad decisions if they know that their actions will continue for longer periods of time (which they often do with or without the idealization), so reducing behavior variability can be a lifesaver.
There are many more of these interesting tips and tricks throughout the book. Willpower is an issue that we all face, so I highly recommend the book to you!
One idea that was surprising to me was the idea of reducing behavior variability. People often struggle with their willpower challenge (say, eating chocolate chip cookies whenever they see one) because they idealize their tomorrows (tomorrow I will start my diet and will no longer crave cookies!). To become more realistic about their tomorrows, they must reduce behavior variability by saying "If I eat this chocolate chip cookie, I will also have to eat chocolate chip cookies for the next 7 days (and actually do it)." People are more hesitant to make bad decisions if they know that their actions will continue for longer periods of time (which they often do with or without the idealization), so reducing behavior variability can be a lifesaver.
There are many more of these interesting tips and tricks throughout the book. Willpower is an issue that we all face, so I highly recommend the book to you!
I highly recommend this book, particularly if you’re trying to break a bad habit or lose weight. I started out listening to the audiobook on my commute to work, but I found myself relating so much to what the author was talking about that I needed to take notes so I requested the hardback too. I had so many of aha moments throughout and I feel like I understand better now the psychology and physiology of how willpower, motivation, and gratification work (and how it’s changed throughout our evolution). The author says that the foundation of willpower is self awareness, self care, and remembering your goals. She describes scientific experiments and real life scenarios for everything she states and offers tools to identify and work on bettering yourself. Read for Book Riot’s Read Harder challenge, task #14: a book of social science.
Lots of interesting and useful information here. I appreciated the format, even if I breezed through it in a weekend: I will be working through some of the experiments on my own time for the coming month. Good for encouragement to change, as well as better knowledge of how your brain works.
Excellent book, highly recommend it. It's helped me to a greater understanding of why I can't stop eating candy and snacks.
I wanted to pace myself while reading this because each chapter ends with assignments. However, After pacing for the first few chapters I just couldn't put it down. So... even though I have finished this book I am far from finished with it.
I am so excited by my finds in the self-help genre this year! They have been exceptional. I have already petitioned my library for an audio version of this so that my husband can listen to it. Whether you think that you need more willpower or not you should read this book (and if you think you're all good in the area of willpower this book may just be ESPECIALLY for you). I have already seen changes in my life since beginning this book about a month ago. It's so exciting! Most of it feels like common sense but in reality it's turned many beliefs I've had on their heads.
Strictly for the writing this book would probably get 7/10 - but because of the paradigm shifts it's given me I'm giving it 9/10. Just read it.
I am so excited by my finds in the self-help genre this year! They have been exceptional. I have already petitioned my library for an audio version of this so that my husband can listen to it. Whether you think that you need more willpower or not you should read this book (and if you think you're all good in the area of willpower this book may just be ESPECIALLY for you). I have already seen changes in my life since beginning this book about a month ago. It's so exciting! Most of it feels like common sense but in reality it's turned many beliefs I've had on their heads.
Strictly for the writing this book would probably get 7/10 - but because of the paradigm shifts it's given me I'm giving it 9/10. Just read it.
This book is a really interesting look into why we continually sabotage ourselves with behavior that's obviously not in our best interests. It was a little discouraging to learn that most of the methods we commonly use to try and change our habits don't really work (and sometimes even make things worse), but it's helpful to understand why and the book offers many suggestions for methods that have been shown to work better.
I listened to this via Audible audiobook (with great narration by Walter Dixon), but I bought the Kindle version as well so that I can refer back and remind myself of the techniques in moments of weakness. When I feel like I might die if I don't have some chocolate RIGHT NOW, it might be helpful to have a reminder of the science behind why I'm feeling that way. If not, as least it's nice to know!
I listened to this via Audible audiobook (with great narration by Walter Dixon), but I bought the Kindle version as well so that I can refer back and remind myself of the techniques in moments of weakness. When I feel like I might die if I don't have some chocolate RIGHT NOW, it might be helpful to have a reminder of the science behind why I'm feeling that way. If not, as least it's nice to know!
Really enjoyed this as an academic approach versus the biographical approach that is usually what you'd find with this sort of thing. The concept is essentially about enhancing mindfulness and self-awareness to slow yourself down on decision making. Very good.
This is not just a book to read, but a book to devour. Kelly McGonigal is a witty researcher who makes behavioral psychology completely fun and accessible and USEFUL. I'll be coming back to this book again and again.
This books collects loads of studies that give insights to how willpower works and ways we can try to cheat the system. Without ever becoming boring. Honestly, I didn't follow the suggestion of reading one chapter per week and applying one of the methods of that chapter but I know I will do that now.
Reread value: absolutely huge. Whenever you're feeling that you can't stick with something, give this a reread based on the chapter title that seems to most resonate with your current situation (or read the summary at the end of each chapter) and maybe you'll find out why you're system isn't working.
Reread value: absolutely huge. Whenever you're feeling that you can't stick with something, give this a reread based on the chapter title that seems to most resonate with your current situation (or read the summary at the end of each chapter) and maybe you'll find out why you're system isn't working.