Willpower - the mental act of making a decision and sticking with it - is a limited mental resource.
Many individuals simply do not possess the presence of mind to sustain long-term goals.
Given the limitations of willpower in decision-making, it is unrealistic to think that making a choice is sufficient to change behavior.
In fact, one British study revealed that nearly 90 percent of all New Year's resolutions end in failure.
It does not make sense to undertake several major life changes at once, such as losing weight and giving up alcohol or changing one's career and quitting smoking.
Individuals would be better served to respect the weakness of self-control and make small, attainable resolutions over the course of an entire year.
The first step in making successful life changes is self-awareness.
One must recognize and accept the limitations of his or her willpower.
Only then is it possible to strengthen the correct areas of mental resolve, which will ultimately make it easier to achieve self-improvement.
The area of the brain most responsible for willpower is the prefrontal cortex.
This lobe is located immediately behind the forehead.
In addition to controlling the will, the prefrontal cortex is charged with helping maintain focus, organizing short-term memory, and solving abstract problems.
When the prefrontal cortex is confronted with unrealistic resolutions, it simply becomes overwhelmed.
Stanford University researcher Baba Shiv conducted a study in which several dozen undergraduates were separated into two groups.
One group was asked to remember a two-digit number; the other group was given a seven-digit number.
The students were then told to walk down a hallway at the end of which they were offered their choice of either chocolate cake or a bowl of fruit salad.
The students who were asked to remember the seven-digit number were more than twice as likely to choose the cake as the students given the two-digit number.
According to Shiv, the reason for this is the extra numbers put a greater strain on the prefrontal cortex and made it harder for the students to resist the rich dessert.
In other words, it took just five extra pieces of information to overload the brain to the point where it was no longer able to impose will and withstand the attraction of something decadent or forbidden.
This certainly seems to explain why so many individuals engage in self-destructive behavior - such as consuming an entire carton of ice cream or one too many alcoholic beverages - after a difficult day.
A brain that is over-stimulated, preoccupied, stressed, and fatigued is far more likely to wane in the face of temptation.
Another important part of the process of sustaining life-changing behavior is to provide the brain a chance to recuperate.
To truly achieve a life-altering behavior shift, one must first recognize both the physiological and psychological limitations of the brain and then make small changes over time to ensure the greatest success rate.
Conquering easier challenges will increase confidence and build motivation and momentum going into the next area of self-improvement.
Finally, when the brain is overworked and inadequately rested it is important to take a break to let the mind and spirit recover.
Many individuals simply do not possess the presence of mind to sustain long-term goals.
Given the limitations of willpower in decision-making, it is unrealistic to think that making a choice is sufficient to change behavior.
In fact, one British study revealed that nearly 90 percent of all New Year's resolutions end in failure.
It does not make sense to undertake several major life changes at once, such as losing weight and giving up alcohol or changing one's career and quitting smoking.
Individuals would be better served to respect the weakness of self-control and make small, attainable resolutions over the course of an entire year.
The first step in making successful life changes is self-awareness.
One must recognize and accept the limitations of his or her willpower.
Only then is it possible to strengthen the correct areas of mental resolve, which will ultimately make it easier to achieve self-improvement.
The area of the brain most responsible for willpower is the prefrontal cortex.
This lobe is located immediately behind the forehead.
In addition to controlling the will, the prefrontal cortex is charged with helping maintain focus, organizing short-term memory, and solving abstract problems.
When the prefrontal cortex is confronted with unrealistic resolutions, it simply becomes overwhelmed.
Stanford University researcher Baba Shiv conducted a study in which several dozen undergraduates were separated into two groups.
One group was asked to remember a two-digit number; the other group was given a seven-digit number.
The students were then told to walk down a hallway at the end of which they were offered their choice of either chocolate cake or a bowl of fruit salad.
The students who were asked to remember the seven-digit number were more than twice as likely to choose the cake as the students given the two-digit number.
According to Shiv, the reason for this is the extra numbers put a greater strain on the prefrontal cortex and made it harder for the students to resist the rich dessert.
In other words, it took just five extra pieces of information to overload the brain to the point where it was no longer able to impose will and withstand the attraction of something decadent or forbidden.
This certainly seems to explain why so many individuals engage in self-destructive behavior - such as consuming an entire carton of ice cream or one too many alcoholic beverages - after a difficult day.
A brain that is over-stimulated, preoccupied, stressed, and fatigued is far more likely to wane in the face of temptation.
Another important part of the process of sustaining life-changing behavior is to provide the brain a chance to recuperate.
To truly achieve a life-altering behavior shift, one must first recognize both the physiological and psychological limitations of the brain and then make small changes over time to ensure the greatest success rate.
Conquering easier challenges will increase confidence and build motivation and momentum going into the next area of self-improvement.
Finally, when the brain is overworked and inadequately rested it is important to take a break to let the mind and spirit recover.
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