We often hear about willpower as the ability to control our impulses and how crucial it is for motivation and achieving results. To dive deeper into this, we spoke with Benjamin Hardy, the author of “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” about the best ways to get motivated and whether willpower alone can help us reach our goals.
Benjamin Hardy has faced significant challenges in his life and has emerged as a prominent writer on self-improvement, motivation, and entrepreneurship. We were excited to learn from his experiences and insights about goal achievement.
Willpower is a topic extensively researched in psychology, and many believe that the more you use it, the stronger it gets. However, Hardy explains that relying solely on willpower is not sustainable for long-term change. For example, a person with a sugar addiction might manage to live healthily in a house full of candy for a while, but this requires immense effort and energy.
People like to think of willpower because it gives us a sense of control over our choices and outcomes. Yet, Hardy suggests that our environment plays a larger role in shaping our success than our individual choices do. In his book “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” he emphasizes creating environments that make success inevitable, rather than relying solely on willpower. For instance, instead of forcing yourself to wake up early and hit the gym, you could arrange to have a gym buddy who motivates you by texting you each morning. This setup removes the struggle of relying on willpower alone.
Hardy and we at DIY Active both champion the importance of accountability systems, such as having workout partners. Encouraging the use of such systems shifts the focus from sheer willpower to smart environmental design. When your surroundings are set up to help you achieve your highest goals, the journey becomes enjoyable and engaging rather than just a chore to endure.
Hardy also highlights that investing money in your goals can be a powerful motivator. When he started blogging, he and his wife invested a significant amount in buying his domain name, despite their modest incomes. This commitment pushed them to succeed. Similarly, buying new running shoes or signing up for a marathon can motivate you to stick to your new habits.
To support your goals, remove any distractions or obstacles from your environment. This might be as simple as changing your daily route to avoid temptations. Hardy argues that without changing your environment, no amount of internal resolve will suffice to bring about lasting life changes. The willpower approach often fails because it doesn’t address altering the environment; instead, it focuses on increasing personal effort to resist temptations.
Ultimately, designing environments that support your goals is far more effective than relying solely on willpower. By consciously shaping your surroundings, you can facilitate your commitments and make achieving your goals more effortless.
Willpower indeed exists, but to achieve our goals efficiently, we need to focus on creating an environment that supports our success. Once we do so, it becomes much easier for willpower to work.
Interested in learning more about Hardy’s approach? Check out his book, “Willpower Doesn’t Work,” where he dives deeper into how altering your environment can lead to success. Benjamin Hardy, a top writer on Medium.com and a Ph.D. candidate at Clemson University, has used his own life experiences to inspire others through his writings. In his book, he outlines how you can change your environment and habits to thrive. Are you ready to make a change?