Experts say that willpower is not an innate trait, as many people believe, but rather a cultivateable skill that you can develop with practice. Psychologist Frank Ryan, author of “Willpower for Dummies,” says that it is important to understand your basic “willpower profile,” which can include such factors as your level of introversion/extroversion, your basic level of impulsiveness, and your triggers. It is also important to write your plans down, as the British Journal of Health Psychology found that this greatly increases your odds of attaining your goal.

Key Takeaways:

• Some people struggle to keep up with their New Year’s resolution and conclude that they do not have any will power.
• According to scientific research, will power is not in our genes. It is a talent that we can motivate ourselves to acquire by practice.
• Will power involves more than sticking to a New Year’s resolution. A 1960 study found that kids who had more will power were more successful in life.

“One problem with the resolution fever that grips us at this time of year is the temptation to go for a total life overhaul.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/10/struggling-with-new-year-resolutions-willpower