Reality Verses Perception - Deepstash
The Psychology of Willpower

Learn more about habits with this collection

How to strengthen your willpower

How to overcome temptation and distractions

The role of motivation in willpower

The Psychology of Willpower

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Reality Verses Perception

Reality Verses Perception

The gap between the actual and perceived role of habit in our lives matters. And this gap is key to understanding why people often struggle to change repeated behaviors. If you believe that you drink coffee because you are tired, then you might try to reduce coffee drinking by going to bed early. But ultimately you’d be barking up the wrong tree – your habit would still be there in the morning.

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1K reads

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Another path to habit change involves friction

Another path to habit change involves friction

Making it difficult to act on undesirable habits and easy to act on desirable ones. For example, one study found that recycling increased after recycle bins were placed right next to trash cans – which people were already using – versus just 12 feet away.

Effectively changing behavi...

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807 reads

To break unhealthy habits, stop obsessing over willpower

To break unhealthy habits, stop obsessing over willpower

People often repeat everyday behaviors out of habit. If you regularly drink coffee, you likely do so automatically as part of your habitual routine – not just out of tiredness.

It’s unsatisfying to say that we do something out of habit just because it’s what we’re used to doing. Instead, we...

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1.28K reads

Habit Quote #3

Habit Quote #3

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

-Jim Ryun

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966 reads

Habit Quote #1

Habit Quote #1

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

-Will Durant

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925 reads

Habit Quote #2

Habit Quote #2

“Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”

-Samuel Johnson

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950 reads

Changing Habits

Changing Habits

We make a similar error when we try to control unwanted habits and form new, desirable ones. Most of us can achieve this in the short run – think about your enthusiasm when starting a new diet or workout regimen. But we inevitably get distracted, tired or just plain busy. When that happens, your ...

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903 reads

Unpacking what lies behind habits

Unpacking what lies behind habits

A survey was conducted: coffee drinkers were asked what they think drives their coffee consumption. They estimated that tiredness was about twice as important as habit in driving them to drink coffee. Their coffee drinking and fatigue were tracked over the course of one week.

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1.19K reads

It’s not just willpower

It’s not just willpower

Research shows that, surprisingly, people who are more successful at achieving long-term goals exert – if anything – less willpower in their day-to-day lives. This makes sense: Over time, willpower fades and habits prevail.

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901 reads

The flip side is also true

The flip side is also true

We don’t recognize the benefits of our good habits. One study found that on days when people strongly intended to exercise, those with weak and strong exercise habits got similar amounts of physical activity. On days when intentions were weaker, however, those with strong habits were more active....

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875 reads

Survey Results

Survey Results

The actual results starkly diverged from participants’ explanations. Yes, they were somewhat more likely to drink coffee when tired – as would be expected – but it was found that habit was an equally strong influence. People overestimated the role of tiredness and underestimated the role of habit...

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1.05K reads

Why habits are surprisingly difficult to change

Why habits are surprisingly difficult to change

The reason that habits can be so difficult to overcome is that they are not fully under our control. Of course, most of us can control a single instance of a habit, such as by refusing a cup of coffee this time or taking the time to offer directions to a lost tourist. We exert willpower and just ...

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946 reads

If the answer isn’t willpower, then what is the key to controlling habits?

If the answer isn’t willpower, then what is the key to controlling habits?

Changing habits begins with the environments that support them. Research shows that leveraging the cues that trigger habits in the first place can be incredibly effective. For example, reducing the visibility of cigarette packs in stores has curbed cigarette purchases.

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884 reads

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tomjoad

Introverted Extravert

To Break Unhealthy Habit, Stop Obsessing Over Willpower

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Be thoughtful about any food or drinks you have close to bedtime

Be thoughtful about any food or drinks you have close to bedtime

Many types of sugar before bed have been shown to reduce the quality of your sleep. The same can be said for coffee, alcohol, and food high in fat content.

  • Don’t eat high fat or drink alcohol before bed.

Instead of eating/drinking these things, try to plan ...

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