You often hear about willpower; it’s all about self-control and managing your impulses. It plays a big role in staying motivated and achieving your goals, so it’s worth looking into. We got to chat with Benjamin Hardy, the author of “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” to learn about motivation and the best ways to reach our goals. Is it all about willpower or something else?
Benjamin Hardy has had a remarkable life, overcoming serious challenges just like the rest of us. As a popular writer on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship, he was a great source to get insights on achieving our goals.
So, let’s delve in!
Willpower has been studied extensively in psychology, and the general belief is that the more you use it, the stronger it gets. But while you could resist for a while, willpower alone isn’t enough for long-term change because it requires a lot of energy.
We tend to talk about willpower because it makes us feel in control of our choices, considering our successes or failures as our own doing. However, a crucial truth is that our environment influences us more than our personal choices. Hardy’s book, “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” focuses on shaping environments that make success inevitable. For example, instead of forcing yourself out of bed to hit the gym, get a gym buddy who’ll text you in the morning, so you’ve set up a situation that pushes you towards success without relying solely on willpower.
At DIY Active, we strongly believe in accountability systems, like workout partners!
It’s actually harmful to keep emphasizing willpower, as it hides the real solution: designing your environment. When your environment supports your goals, the journey becomes enjoyable rather than a task you must endure to reach happiness.
Money can also be a great motivator. Starting his blog, Benjamin Hardy and his wife took a financial risk by purchasing a domain, even though they were earning just $15 an hour. Investing in something, like new running shoes, can motivate you to take action. Share your progress on social media to have friends keep you accountable. Signing up for events like marathons can also set a clear timeline for your goals.
Remove anything in your surroundings that hinders your progress. Focusing on environmental design helps you avoid the struggle of willpower battles. If you find yourself rationalizing why you’re not meeting your goals, instead of self-criticism, alter your environment to remove those obstacles. It could be as simple as changing your route to work to avoid tempting stops.
Without changing your environment, even the strongest willpower won’t be enough to transform your life. That’s where the willpower approach falls short. It doesn’t address the need to change the environment, leading people to eventually give in to it despite their efforts. The environment has a stronger influence than your internal resolve, so it’s best to design environments that support your commitments.
Design your environment to succeed!
Willpower is real, but it’s not the sole factor in achieving goals efficiently. As Benjamin Hardy points out, and we completely agree, engineering your environment is crucial for success. Once our surroundings are set up to support our goals, willpower becomes easier to maintain!
Fascinating, right? If you’re looking for motivation, grab Hardy’s book to find out how his approach can help you achieve your goals. Get your copy today – “Willpower Doesn’t Work.”
Benjamin Hardy, the top writer on Medium.com and Ph.D. Candidate at Clemson University, authored “Willpower Doesn’t Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success.” His writings on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship have inspired many to succeed through his research, personal experiences, and guidance.
As a foster dad who overcame a difficult family background, Hardy learned that thriving comes from proactively shaping your environment. In “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” he argues that willpower alone isn’t enough—it’s often a risky approach leading to failure. Instead of relying on sheer determination, create surroundings that support your goals. This book will specifically teach you how to:
Ready to change your environment and habits?
