The Myth of Willpower
Written by Jill Weisenbeger, MS, RDN, CDE
As a registered dietitian nutritionist for two decades, I have heard countless people say, “I know what to do. I just don’t do it. I have no willpower.” While it’s true that knowledge isn’t enough to change behavior, it is false that success requires willpower.
Willpower is way overrated. It fails with the first headache, the first early deadline, the first sign of your child’s ear infection or the first argument with your spouse. If you rely on willpower to combat cravings for chips or chocolate, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Think about it. Who’s more likely to overindulge in chocolate? The person with a dish of mini candy bars on her desk or the one without? The one with the temptation in front of her, of course. Instead of arguing with yourself – “should I or shouldn’t I” – just get rid of them or at least move them from constant view. Strategies and skills – not willpower – will help you meet your goals. Willpower will fade, but once you pick strategies and develop skills, they are yours forever.
Here are a few strategies I use.
- I keep my chocolate in a cabinet that’s too high to reach without a stool. Imagine my struggle if I kept it at eye level in my pantry.
- I ask my daughters to frost the cake. They most definitely don’t mind.
- I buy light ice cream bars or sandwiches instead of a half-gallon of ice cream.
- I keep fruit and cut raw veggies in view.
- I always have a healthy snack with me just in case I get hungry.
So stop beating yourself up for lacking willpower, and get serious by looking at your weaknesses and brainstorming some solutions.