Usually when we hear the word “willpower,” we relate it to losing weight or quitting smoking. Willpower is extremely helpful when trying to break those bad habits, but it can also be beneficial in other areas of your life as well.
It’s important to realize that we’re not born with willpower; it’s something we must nurture and build in ourselves. Once we strengthen our willpower, it will empower us profoundly in achieving our goals. Why? Because we’ll develop an unshakeable focus and intensity in purpose!
So how do you start building your willpower?
Here are four strategies to get you headed in the right direction:
1. Commitment. You must be committed to reaching your goals. If you’re not completely committed to what you want to accomplish, there’s no way you’ll be able to develop any willpower.
To be successful in achieving your goals, you must not harbor any second thoughts, excuses, or doubts. Be honest with yourself and know that this is something you truly want to see through until the end.
Remember, just having the desire will not guarantee accomplishment. You can desire something without firm commitment, so be sure to distinguish between the two and take the appropriate actions.
2. Call upon your inner strength. Building your willpower takes perseverance. This is a time to call on your inner strength – that extra oomph you need to get through the difficult times.
You’ve made a commitment to take a journey to strengthen your willpower and accomplish your most challenging goals – this is great! The truth is, you’ll have many days of success, but there will also be days that aren’t as triumphant. It’s on those not-so-good days that you can call on your inner strength to get you back on track.
Everyone has inner strength and most of us have used it on more than one occasion. Trust in it and it will get you through the tough times!
3. Ask for support. Building your willpower to achieve a goal is a large undertaking. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. This is why it’s so imperative that we have support during this time.
Entrust a friend, spouse, or parent with what you’re trying to accomplish. That way, when you hit a stumbling block, you have someone you trust to get you back on the right track.
Your support system will help you through the hard times and celebrate your successes with you.
4. Be consistent. If you have the willpower to stop smoking for one week, that’s wonderful and should be celebrated. But the only way you’re going to build your willpower is to do whatever it takes to avoid cigarettes today, tomorrow, and forever. Then soon enough you’ll be celebrating two weeks, two months, two years, and then forever!
This strategy applies to any goal that you’re seriously trying to accomplish. You must be willing to keep up the positive behavior all day, every day, no exceptions, and no excuses.
Things can only improve as you continue to build your willpower. Keep pushing yourself forward!
Willpower is a tricky concept. We all want to develop it to break a bad habit or reach a particular goal, yet in order to do so, we must be willing to go the extra mile and fully commit ourselves to our success.
If you are committed, you should be commended! Be sure to use these tips to help you build your willpower and celebrate your successes each and every day.
Love this! I personally identify with #3: asking for support. I tend to find that I struggle with asking for help as if it were a sign of weakness. Thank you for this reassurance, Moira.
Glad to hear that Anne – I believe that it is a sign of strength to ask for support – it also reminds you that you are not alone!
Moira, as usual a great post! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks very much Liz!
Moira, your posts are so inspiring. Thank you. Right now I am learning to call upon my inner strength. I really am in need of this. Thank you and God bless.
Good for you Alexandra – your inner strength will support you… but do remember to reach out for help if you need it.
love your lists for developing will power, very inspirational
Thank you for this Moira. My willpower can be strong for most of the time.
Glad to hear that Kathy!
Wonderful tips!
-Seun
Thanks Seun!
I’ve seen willpower at play when my Mother was asked to reduce weight for health reasons. Her GP simply told her ‘ lose weight’ and that was that. Mom knew she had to do it, but needed support. Thank God I decided to change her doctor. The new one not only inspired her but supported her endeavor and goal was achieved. Willpower sometimes requires support and commitment in tandem. Precious tips, Moira.
Thanks for sharing that Vatsala – I totally agree that change takes much more than just willpower alone – I’m really glad your mother found the support she needed.
Great tips, thank you Moira for sharing them with others. Everybody can make their willpower stronger and stronger each time. … Personal will can be weak, yet spiritual will is truly something that can surprise beyond imagination. Support from the Higher Power is what truly makes a difference to ones will. 🙂
I completely agree Solvita – asking for support and calling upon inner strength are excellent ways to tap into the support from the Higher Power and it does really make a difference to the will.
There is a role for personal responsibility in willpower as well, Moira. It’s tied in with commitment and inner strength somehow …
I completely agree Sharon!
Such a wonderful post and no, it isn’t always easy and I believe partnering with others who believe in you and are willing to support you (which can look a bunch of different ways!) is an essential component. And picking people who will, in a loving way, kick your butt when it is needed, celebrate with you and see the best when you can’t is how we keep kicking royal buttola!
Thanks MamaRed – yes getting the support you need is an important piece to helping us be and achieve our best!
Will power is greatly improved with motivation. I find being part of a group is so beneficial as we share and support each other…
I agree with you Norma – group energy is motivational and encouraging at the same time!
You are right.. in order to have will power, it takes commitment, strength from within and from God, the support of others, and be consistent in whatever it is we are working on.
Well said Pat! Consistency and believing that all will be well is important to help motivate us and keep us on track!
Great post, Moira! Excellent steps on improving our will power, It does take commitment, strength from within and from God, support from others and consistency, Thank you for sharing this!
Great ideas:) the most important one to me on that list is commitment. Without full commitment, you cannot work to the highest of your potential:)
Very inspiring content! It is true that dreams are just dreams and goals
are just goals without the willpower. What is your most effective way
of building willpower?