Self-assessment time…

What do YOU feel like is your biggest struggle when it comes to reaching your goals?

Odds are, the words you thought of were…

Consistency, willpower, and discipline.

You know what to do, but you just don’t do it.

The most common answer to this question is willpower.

We are tough self-critics when it comes to our shortcomings.

Research shows that most people believe their struggles are due to a lack of willpower.

And I’m here to call BS.

You may be thinking.. but, Emma, I can never control myself around cookies.

Or candy.

Or chips.

And that may be the case.

But I’m here to tell you that it’s not a willpower issue.

It’s thinking that you need more willpower to be successful.

Do you know what people who achieve their goals and maintain them think?

They think that they have little willpower.

Isn’t that interesting?

Individuals that struggle and individuals that are successful believe the same thing about their willpower.

Hmmm.. so what’s the difference?

First and foremost, those that are successful don’t rely on willpower to be successful.

They understand that willpower is a finite resource and it can get drained pretty quickly throughout each day.

Therefore, they adjust their environment so that willpower isn’t required.

For example, they don’t keep cookies, candy, or chips in plain sight.

They don’t have a whole list of things that are off-limits.

They don’t eliminate entire categories.

They don’t restrict themselves.

So willpower isn’t needed as much, which keeps their willpower battery charged longer for when they actually need it (like during extra stressful times).

Individuals that struggle rely way too much on willpower.

They have arbitrary rules about what they can and can’t do (willpower gets drained).

They often restrict themselves (willpower drained).

They have cookies, candy, or chips in plain sight at work and/or at home (willpower drained).

Then they wonder why they eventually break.

The second piece to this puzzle is the perception of one decision.

Those that are successful understand that things are never going to be perfect so one poor decision doesn’t rattle them at all.

They know it’s part of the process and they’re able to pick up and move forward.

Those that struggle tend to overreact to one poor decision. Once again, thinking that it’s confirmation of their inconsistency, lack of willpower, or lack of discipline.

Usually, it’s a direct result of the rules they’re placing on themselves.

So what’s the solution?

Simple.. stop relying so heavily on willpower.

Set up your environment in a way that willpower isn’t needed as much.

And stop creating arbitrary rules and stop restricting yourself.

Finally, accept that failure is an inevitable part of the process and that each decision is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Take that approach and success becomes inevitable.

If you need help implementing this, that’s one of my specialties. You know where to find me when you’re ready.

❤️ Coach Emma