Our willpower is not at some constant level all day , waiting around for us to use it . Nope , it gets weaker with each decision we make .
This is why , after resisting chocolate all day , you can ’ t help but have that dessert at night .
And there ’ s research backing this . Roy Baumeister , a prominent psychologist , has researched the phenomenon of decision fatigue , which is the idea that our willpower decreases with each decision .
Decision fatigue is what leads to analysis paralysis . When your brain is low on mental energy , it ’ s really hard to make good decisions on the things that matter – like your goals .
This research has inspired some of the most visionary people .
It ’ s why Steve Jobs wore the same outfit everyday , a black turtleneck , blue jeans , and white sneakers .
By conserving his mental energy by taking away smaller decisions , it enabled him to focus his energy on big decisions – the ones that mattered .
So : back to your resolution .
You had assumed that using only your willpower , you would be able to stick to your resolution . I ’ m sorry to tell you that ’ s not going to happen , because your willpower depletes .
However … knowing and understanding that your assumptions are not going to help can really help you out .
Why ? Because this forces you to think of alternate solutions – solutions that will actually work , because they won ’ t rely on willpower alone .
THE SOLUTIONS : ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS WITH LESS WILLPOWER
Now , I ’ ve got three simple solutions for you – solutions that will help you stick to your resolutions without having to rely solely on willpower .
FIRST : PLAN EACH DAY THE NIGHT BEFORE
Research from Harvard Business School shows that when we make decisions for our future selves , we make better decisions .
So , the night before , plan out as many decisions as you can .
This will reduce your decision fatigue the next day – and take advantage of our thoughtful planning for our future selves .
For example , plan your outfit , a healthy breakfast , what time you will hit the grocery store and what you will buy , and what you will do if a sugar craving hits .
SECOND : WORK ON YOUR RESOLUTION IN THE MORNING
If you have a health goal , workout in the morning . If you have a business goal , tackle it for 30 minutes before work .
In the mornings , your willpower is higher because you don ’ t have decision fatigue yet .
And if you couple this with planning the night before , you set yourself up for success .
THIRD : PRE-COMMIT
Committing in advance takes the question out of whether you will do something or not .
Deciding to hit the gym , even in the mornings , is hard .
But getting yourself to an eight-week bootcamp class with your best friend – that you already paid for ? Much easier .
Because there ’ s no question if you are going or not .
You parted with your hard-earned money and you committed to a friend – you ’ re going .
If you sign up for a half-marathon next month , you can believe that you ’ ll have a reason to train .
Even better if you commit to running with a friend – because you won ’ t bail on the race .
And if you want to pursue any topic , from learning knitting to business principles , sign up for a class of some sort , in person or online . Pick a class that has a set date and time . This will keep you accountable .
You see , it ’ s much easier to have discipline when you set things up in your favor .
FOURTH : USE THE 5 SECOND RULE
The 5 Second Rule is simple . If you have an instinct to act on a goal , you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it .
The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must physically move withing 5 seconds or your brain will stop you .
5-4-3-2-1-GO
It ’ s a tool that takes you out of your head and into action . I talk about
18 SPRING 2018