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Strengthen Your Willpower by Recording Your Post-Decision Feelings


Sometimes our willpower falters and we mess up on the way to our goals. To avoid repeating slip ups, record how you feel right after you make a bad decision for future reference.

You know that feeling right after you have a candy bar and you're on a diet? No, not the first amazing part, the feeling after that—where you feel guilty and sad. Graham Young at Fast Company suggests you find a way to record that so you can carry it with you:

...in order to change, we must take that pain and associate it back with the original temptation. If we can internally provoke that pain right before we have to make the decision, then we have a chance of altering our course of action. Write yourself a letter, keep notes, or even record a video of yourself in the difficult moments following a bad decision.

Whatever it is—a note, recording, etc.—keep it with you for easy access. When you have to make a decision, force yourself to remember that it wasn't really worth it. Eventually, you'll be able to do it on your own, but this can help you get on the right track. Willpower is generated through the systems and practices you have in place, not about your desire. It's all about how you're getting to where your going, not the end result.

4 Ways to Get Your Willpower Back on Track | Fast Company

Photo by Tony Hall.