My readers often write to me asking how they can increase their willpower in order that they can stick with their programs and get better results.
I always reply that willpower is not a particularly great ‘rocket fuel’ for propelling you toward your goals as it’s really about forcing yourself to do something you don’t want to do.
Sure, in the early days you may need some willpower to INITIATE the changes you need to make and break the current inertia you’re facing, but think about it, every time you’ve used willpower as your primary goals fuel, you’ve eventually run out of the stuff, slipped up and dropped out, right?
Willpower is a finite and quick-burning fuel.
It’s ok to use it to START your goals but to keep you focused on them in the long term you need something much more powerful than forcing yourself to do something you don’t like doing.
You need, enthusiasm, you need desire, you need passion.
You need to LOVE the idea of attaining the goal that you’re pursuing rather than pushing yourself to do things you hate doing.
The difference is immense!
Willpower will always leave you high and dry sooner or later but passion, desire, enthusiasm and love of the end result will keep you going long after willpower has gone.
So, you YOU love your goal?
Does the idea of attaining the goal that you have in mind right now excite, motivate and inspire you?
If not, then you’re probably thinking too small and ’settling’ for a lesser goal than you really want. You’re probably aiming at an outcome that’s less than what you REALLY dream of achieving for yourself.
Big mistake!
See, small goals without passion are the ones you quit when the willpower runs dry whereas the big, inspiring, passion-filled goals will keep you taking action until you reach them.
So here’s a little exercise for you…
Identify your BIG goal. The one you REALLY want for yourself.
The perfect vision you hold of yourself and dream about when no-one’s watching.
Picture the whole thing in great detail.
Write down what your arms, legs, waist, back, chest, calves and butt will look like when you’re done.
Create a hybrid vision of what you want to be. For example:
Jennifer Anniston’s hair, Elle McPherson’s Legs, Madonna’s Shoulders etc
Use vivid imagery of the bodies you most admire to help you create the body you most want, then see how you feel about the final version you design. If it inspires passion and excitement then use this image, if not then try again.
This is a powerful technique, give it a try and you’ll see for yourself.
Regardless of how you get there though, look for the passion in your goals so that you never have to rely solely on willpower ever again.
Truth, joy and love
