Vox

Stats + related links for The myth of self-control

Psychologists say using willpower to achieve goals is overhyped. Here’s what actually works. Open at source

231

Reader View

Made me smarter

Read later

Your notes & highlights

Save highlights in Reader View or with our Chrome extension.

This your link? Claim it

More like this
Ness Labs
The willpower paradox: when self-talk becomes counterproductiveNess Labs
psychology
career
willpower
Summary, by the author
Research suggests we may benefit from phrasing our goals in a speculative way: “Will I?” rather than “I will.” — this is called the Willpower Paradox.
Declarative self-talk (“I will”) is more likely to be linked to extrinsically motivated goals. Using interrogative self-talk (“Will I?”) allows for more time to build intrinsic motivation.
By switching from declarative self-talk to interrogative self-talk, we can consider whether we really want to achieve that goal. If the answer is yes, intrinsic motivation makes us more likely to succeed.
Read the full article  (3 min read)
Psychology Today
Gratitude May Increase Self-ControlPsychology Today
2 min read · 2019-10-02 · A new study suggests that people who feel grateful resist the urge to cheat.
psychology
self
Harvard Business Review
The Dark Side of Self-ControlHarvard Business Review
3 min read · 2020-01-16 · Resisting short-term temptations can lead to long-term regret.
self
self improvement
Psychology Today
The 90-Second Rule that Builds Self-ControlPsychology Today
4 min read · 2020-04-27 · The key to greater happiness and peace of mind
better living
anger
stoicism
Nautilus Magazine
Against WillpowerNautilus Magazine
10 min read · From 2019 · Thomas1 was a highly successful and mild-mannered lawyer who was worried about his drinking. When he came to see me at my psychotherapy…
willpower
psychology
self control
The New York Times
Why You Procrastinate (It Has Nothing to do With Self-Control)The New York Times
8 min read · From 2019 ·  Procrastination is a self-reinforcing cycle. The more you stall important work, the more you’ll continue to do so. Yet procrastination doesn’t result from a dearth of motivation or productivity; it manifests from a failure to regulate negative emotions. If you are mired in a chronic procrastination cycle, journalist Charlotte Lieberman helps you dig your way out. She interviewed an array of psychologists, authors and professors to figure out how best to end the self-destructive cycle. Lieberman provides a range of tips to guide procrastinators into a more positive frame of mind. 
procrastination
psychology
productivity
Most highlighted
“Procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem,” said Dr. Tim Pychyl, professor of psychology and member of the Procrastination Research Group at Carleton University in Ottawa.
But it might also result from deeper feelings related to the task, such as self-doubt, low self-esteem, anxiety or insecurity. Staring at a blank document, you might be thinking, I’m not smart enough to write this. Even if I am, what will people think of it? Writing is so hard. What if I do a bad job?
Vox
Why willpower is overratedVox
~13 min read · From 2018 · Psychologists increasingly think effortful restraint is not the key to the good life. So what is?
willpower
psychology
Elemental
Don’t Worry, You Can’t Deplete Your WillpowerElemental
7 min read · Jan 14th · Self-control is all in your head
better living
The Atlantic
Self-Control Is Just Empathy With Your Future SelfThe Atlantic
20+ min read · From 2016 · The same part of the brain that allows us to step into the shoes of others also helps us restrain ourselves.
empathy
self control
science

More like this

The 5 most relevant links from around the web. With summaries + highlights.

Welcome back

Share link