Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal's wildly popular course "The Science of Willpower," The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity. Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, The Willpower Instinct explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. For example, readers will learn: • Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep. • Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health. • Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower • Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control. • Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control. • Willpower failures are contagious—you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends—but you can also catch self-control from the right role models. In the groundbreaking tradition of Getting Things Done, The Willpower Instinct combines life-changing prescriptive advice and complementary exercises to help readers with goals ranging from losing weight to more patient parenting, less procrastination, better health, and greater productivity at work.
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"A two-weeks class on improving self-control in 10 chapters, with chapter one introducing the basics, chapter ten summarizing the class, and chapter 2-9 each specializing on one big "willpower challenge". Very interesting book. Includes not only theories to help you get to know better about how our minds work but also very practical suggestions and experiments to deal with each "willpower challenge". This book changes the way I view myself in a lot of aspects. Very helpful. Like it a lot." — melody (5 out of 5 stars)
"A two-weeks class on improving self-control in 10 chapters, with chapter one introducing the basics, chapter ten summarizing the class, and chapter 2-9 each specializing on one big "willpower challenge". Very interesting book. Includes not only theories to help you get to know better about how our minds work but also very practical suggestions and experiments to deal with each "willpower challenge". This book changes the way I view myself in a lot of aspects. Very helpful. Like it a lot."
" This is one of those books that I wish I'd read years ago... "
" I loved this book. Perfect combination of science and information with helpful hints are tools for improving willpower and changing life long habits. "
" illuminating "
" Absolutely fascinating book! Her writing style annoyed me at first because she used a lot of parenthetical asides and tried to be funny, but I got beyond that. "
" This book truly is a gem. One of the best personal development books I've read in a while. "
" A real eye opener! Being aware of what happens in the brain and why when giving in to temptation and procrastination helps avoid the dangers. Interesting and useful. Have to listen to this again and do the exercises. "
" Don't let your brain outsmart your good intentions! I enjoyed learning tips on how to understand where my impulses are coming from, and how to take the steps necessary to act on my long term goals. "
" The basic suggestions for everyday use are easy and effective. Down to earth advice about how the mind works and what real people have done to help themselves increase their willpower / self-control. Also very well written in terms of professionalism among authors. "
" This book is relevant to my work, and I felt this was one of the better examples of scientific research turned popular book that I have read. Comprehensive, accurate, informative, engaging, pleasant to read. "
" Loved this book. It gives great insight into why we do what we do - so much more insightful than just what you might expect from the title. "
" Loved this book. Great anecdotes, good humor, solid foundation in brain science. Everyone should read this. "
" Interesting. I totally buy Sam Harris' argument that we don't have free will, but this book has fantastic suggestions for bolstering will power, which make total sense. Talk about a paradox, yo. "
" This book took me forever to read, not because it was difficult, but because I found myself wanting to absorb every idea and put them to practice in my life. If I manage to put a keep of couple of habits going from this book I'll call it a success. An excellent read. "
" I really enjoyed the book. It makes me understand why I do something that I should not. I enjoy the science part, which is easy to read. "
" Very good, in particular when read with Baumeister's willpower book; the two compliment each other because they have different slants. "
" Logical and researched well, a fresh Sunday afternoon read. I tried to put it down but I didn't have the willpower. "
" Lots of great ideas here -- well worth the read! I can see why McGonigal's class was so popular at Stanford. "
Kelly McGonigal, PhD, is a health psychologist and award-winning lecturer at Stanford University. A leading expert on the mind-body relationship, her work integrates the latest findings of psychology, neuroscience, and medicine with contemplative practices of mindfulness and compassion from the traditions of Buddhism and yoga. She is the author of The Willpower Instinct and Yoga for Pain Relief.
Walter Dixon is a broadcast media veteran of more than twenty years’ experience with a background in theater and performing arts and voice work for commercials. After a career in public radio, he is now a full-time narrator with more than fifty audiobooks recorded in genres ranging from religion and politics to children’s stories.
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