Unveiling the Hidden World of Individuals with Remarkable Self-Mastery (It’s Simpler Than You Imagine)
“If only I possessed greater self-restraint.”
“I lack the fortitude of a steel will.”
“I yearn for the pleasures of life, not solely enduring its hardships.”
When people find out about my lifestyle, they often make comments.
I’m someone who eats a lot of fruits and veggies, exercises regularly, saves money, and reads or writes every morning before work. I have good self-control. And sticking to this lifestyle isn’t hard for me; I don’t struggle to avoid unhealthy foods, stay on the couch, or resist sales.
Because of this, I’ve wondered why some people find it easy to resist temptations while others find it tough.
To figure this out, I started looking into the science of willpower. I ended up reading more than 25 academic papers over two months.
Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with you. Think of it as a story about how researchers discovered what people with good self-control already knew.
The fortunate people who can control themselves well.
I have some good and not-so-good news for those who think they need more willpower to achieve their goals, whether in work, school, diet, sports, or anything else.
First, the not-so-good news: Having strong self-control is linked to lots of good things in life. People who are good at controlling themselves tend to do better in school, have fewer mental health issues, get along better with friends and family, and are less likely to do things impulsively like binge eating or drinking too much alcohol.
And there’s more: They’re also happier.
“In contrast to the idea that self-control means being strict and making sacrifices, those with strong self-control usually feel happier than others right now. They also tend to be more content with their lives overall. ”
(I’m sorry if you were secretly wishing they’d at least be miserable.)