First Volley: The traditional concept of “Willpower” really doesn’t work!
“Any human construct offering infinite choices will result in poor choices, with each and all of us
Invariably choosing what PLEASES us rather than that which is GOOD for us.”
Quartermaster
The Nutrisystem “System” is exemplary, based solely on this premise. NS advertising posts show 14 food choices, among which are SIX (6 / VI) dessert options!
The presumptive premise is that people given lavish choices will choose what “pleases” them to a point that they will be forever dependent on NS “Coaches” to “inspire” (or shame?) them into coming back and back and back, persistently staying in the NS loop of wanting to lose weight but never quite making it.
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In his book, “Frog and Toad Together”, Arnold Lobel tells the story of Frog and Toad eating cookies – and wrestling with the concept of Willpower – to a point that they can’t stop eating the cookies, except for Frog FINALLY dumping all the uneaten cookies on the ground and saying, “Here, birds! Here are some cookies,” then turning to Toad and declaring, “Now we have WILLPOWER!!” Toad says, “You can keep all the WILLPOWER. I’m going home to bake a chocolate cake!”
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Strawberries were on sale. I like strawberries for breakfast … with cereal, an omelet, toast, etc., … so I bought a packet. Strawberries take a little preparation and I insist on slicing and dicing them the night before, plus marinating them in a spoonful of sugar. We ended up out later than usual that evening and it just seemed a bit extra to deal with breakfast so late at night – and so dog-tired! But – by the sheer POWER OF WILL – I went ahead and processed the berries, slept in a little next morning (it was Saturday!), and had a wonderful breakfast!
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September was bordering on drought and the grass desperately needed watering … which I insist on doing in the early morning. I also like to catch up on news of the day after breakfast. And sometimes it just works better to do my exercise early on hot days. PLUS, I generally have a blog post itching to be written.
[I’m writing this while watering this very morning.]
So I am often in the uncomfortable position of making STRATEGIC SACRIFICES in order to make things work sustainably toward the most favorable ends. You may call it DELAYED GRATIFICATION.
NOTE:
Did you ever notice how much easier it is to be “Strong Willed” about OTHER people’s choices than it is to be “Strong Willed” regarding OUR OWN choices?
|[Check out Dear Abby, Carolyn Hax, etc.]
That’s precisely why we have parents, teachers, coaches and drill sergeants in the military!
So here’s the “kicker”: We succeed most/best in life navigation when we become our own “Drill Sergeant” and adopt the POWER OF WILL as our personal mantra for life. “I WILL do this!” and “I WILL do it NOW!” Take full command of YOU, and anything you WILL to be done WILL get do
