Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength

Roy F. Baumeister · John Tierney

Sep 2011 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

One of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, Roy F. Baumeister, teams with New York Times science writer John Tierney to reveal the secrets of self-control and how to master it.

"Deep and provocative analysis of people's battle with temptation and masterful insights into understanding willpower: why we have it, why we don't, and how to build it. A terrific read." —Ravi Dhar, Yale School of Management, Director of Center for Customer Insights

Pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons on how to focus our strength, resist temptation, and redirect our lives. It shows readers how to be realistic when setting goals, monitor their progress, and how to keep faith when they falter. By blending practical wisdom with the best of recent research science, Willpower makes it clear that whatever we seek—from happiness to good health to financial security—we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control.

Ratings and reviews

1. Know your limits; 2. Watch for symptoms of willpower depletion; 3. Pick your battles, set time limits and deadlines; 4. Make a to-do list or at least a to-don't list; 5. Beware the planning fallacy (things always take longer than you think); 6. Don't forget the basics (like changing your socks, eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep); 7. The power of positive procrastination (I'll have it later) 8. The Nothing Alternative: Raymond Chandler would set aside four hours every day for writing; if he couldn't write, then he couldn't do anything else either. It was either write or nothing. 9. Keep track of your progress or lack of progress; quantify your behavior. 10. Reward often: when you set a goal, set a reward for reaching it.

A compilation of best practices for a whole family. Liked the research examples, energy and continuity from start to end of the book. Part 2 must come along, otherwise add more chapters on other related topics like anger, fatigue and stress's involvement to ego depletion. Thanks Roy.

So far, this book hasn't given me anything about developing willpower, just tons and tons of studies to show it exists. I picked up this book because I know it exists and I want to harness it. but they won't talk about that. Why do self-help books do this? Don't prove to me that everyone else is wrong, prove me that you are right by telling me what to do.

About the author

Roy F. Baumeister directs the social psychology program at Florida State University. He has written for more than 450 scientific publications and consistently ranks among the world's most frequently cited psychologists. This is his twenty-eighth book.
John Tierney writes the "Findings" science column for the New York Times. His writing has won awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Physics. This is his third book.