The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal

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A tremendous book on Will Power. Life Changing!

From Amazon:

“Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal’s wildly popular course “The Science of Willpower,” The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the new science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity.”

Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, The Willpower Instinct explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. For example, readers will learn:

  1. Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
  2. Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health.
  3. Temptation and stress hijack the brain’s systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower
  4. Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control.
  5. Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control.
  6. Willpower failures are contagious–you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends­­–but you can also catch self-control from the right role models.