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Willpower

Rediscovering Our Greatest Strength

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Can you resist everything except temptation? In a hedonistic age full of distractions, it's hard to possess willpower - or in fact even understand why we should need it. Yet it's actually the most important factor in achieving success and a happy life, shown to be more significant than money, looks, background or intelligence. This book reveals the secrets of self-control.

Here Roy Baumeister, one of the world's most esteemed and influential psychologists, and journalist John Tierney, turn this notion on its head. They show us that willpower is like a muscle that can be strengthened with practice and improved over time. The latest laboratory work shows that self-control has a physical basis to it and so is dramatically affected by simple things such as eating and sleeping - to the extent that a life-changing decision may go in different directions depending on whether it's made before or after lunch. Based on years of psychological research and filled with practical advice, this book will teach you how to gain from self-control without pain, and discover the very real power in willpower. The results are nothing short of life-changing.

 Consciousness & Thought Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Inspiring Health Self-Discipline Mental Health
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It can be a bit long drawn to get to the point but it is exactly these thorough deep dives into the why that separates this book from self help books. It doesn't make blanket statements of things you should do but instead describes what's been shown in labs.

What does get me wondering though is how WEIRD these studies are and that when taking this with you out in the world, it's worthwhile keeping in mind that real people act differently outside of labs. Yet many of the things said makes a whole lot of sense and will be helpful on a day to day basis.

Practical and scientific self improvement

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Research-derived behaviour patterns explained with plenty of examples to aid understanding, and proven small changes which can be implemented to make a significant difference

Forget self-help books. This is the one you’re after

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Hard time summarising key points, one chapter has lots of theories and there is no summary at the end.

Content is great but structure and exercises not so good

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The writers were able to site examples to back up their claims. The methods of managing your time to avoid procrastination are very helpful to me.

The experiments of the writers to support their claims are very detailed

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Finished the kindle copy within one week and after a few years, as a reminder, listened here, again, absorbed it in within few days.

Absolutely my favourite

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