HABIT OR WILLPOWER? WHICH IS STRONGER?
Posted on September 08, 2013 by Kirk McMillan, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
When it comes to changing behavior, willpower will only take you so far.
We are beginning a new smoking cessation program next month, so I’ve been thinking quite a bit about willpower and habits. As a coach who works with executives, business leaders, business owners, employees, parents, and children on a daily basis to change behavior, here is my conclusion. When it comes to changing behavior, willpower will only take you so far.
Habits whether “good” or “bad” will be our default when we deplete willpower. Willpower has been shown to be like a muscle that fatigues. For instance, a binge eater under stress, will only be able to say “no” to the cookies a certain number of times before giving in. Therefore, establishing new habits to support willpower are necessary to create long-lasting behavior change.
What do we do if a “bad” habit is our default? What does it take to change a “bad” habit into a “good” habit? To begin, willpower must be stimulated and developed. Just like muscles are created with exercise, using mental exercises to increase willpower will set the stage for turning habits around. Painting the future mental picture of what the “good” habit feels like, and looks like is an important first step. We have to buy into the future image to fuel our willpower. Then we have to create a supportive environment to foster success. What is around us? Who is around us?
The final step to changing a “bad” habit to a “good” habit requires a new habit that is easy to perform. So that when the binge eater has the willpower to say no, the new habit is performed. The new “good” habit might be calling a friend, or picking up a celery stick.
