What's Important to Know About Self-Control

aka Willpower :

• It's a mind-body response, not a virtue
• Is a limited resource - like muscle strength - use a lot of it at work during the day and you know why you need a shot or a smoke or a quickie when you get home
• Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained to withstand higher levels without giving in
• 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

Don't believe me? Then read "The Willpower Instinct" by Kenny McGonigal (interesting combination of Scotch-Irish and Prussian there)