In the last blog I wrote about mindfulness and how it can help us understand what we’re experiencing more clearly and to make more positive choices. This time, I’m gonna get into a connected topic, which is willpower.
In that blog I defined mindfulness as paying attention enough so that you can notice when you’re feeling something, then classifying that feeling (I’m feeling hungry, or angry, or scared, etc.). Once you understand what you’re feeling you have a decision to make in terms of how you respond.
You can:
A: Immediately respond to what you’re feeling
B: Delay responding to what you’re feeling
C: Choose not to respond at all
Options 2 and 3 require willpower.
So what is willpower, exactly? Here’s my definition: Willpower is first noticing you’re feeling a desire, acknowledging that desire as being real/valid, and deliberately choosing not to respond or delaying your response. Do you see the connection between mindfulness and willpower?
Because we’re paying attention and being mindful, we’re able to notice what we’re feeling. Mindfulness it the first step to willpower. The second step is thinking to yourself, “I feel the desire to eat,” or “I feel the desire to smoke,” or whatever it is – to acknowledge and validate the feeling. Once we’ve noticed and validated the desire, it’s easier to choose option B or C above because we’ve introduced a speed bump that gives us a moment to be more deliberate in our decision making.
Mindfulness makes willpower easier. Increase mindfulness, increase willpower.
Be well!
