January 20, 2015

Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength



Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney

Summary: Pioneering research psychologist Roy F. Baumeister collaborates with New York Times science writer John Tierney to revolutionize our understanding of the most coveted human virtue: self-control. Drawing on cutting-edge research and the wisdom of real-life experts, Willpower shares lessons on how to focus our strength, resist temptation, and redirect our lives. It shows readers how to be realistic when setting goals, monitor their progress, and how to keep faith when they falter. By blending practical wisdom with the best of recent research science, Willpower makes it clear that whatever we seek—from happiness to good health to financial security—we won’t reach our goals without first learning to harness self-control.

Angie's Comments:  Interested in willpower? This book covers willpower, including to-do lists, dieting, and raising children who have willpower. The writing was smooth.

I enjoyed reading about the experiments and their implications for normal life. I was fascinated by the section on dieting. At one point in college, my roommate had a scale. Somehow I ended up weighing myself every day. That resulted in me only eating half portions of most of my food. The Snickers bar that I had walking back to my dorm? Only ate half. When I threw the rest away, I didn’t even mourn. Before I threw it away, I told myself that I could have the rest of it, but I wasn’t interested. (Before you ask, no, I am not that way anymore!)

If you are interested in changing your diet or ensuring that you get done what you need to, this book gives you an understanding of yourself. What do you need to do or think to actually lose weight or accomplish your to-do list? This book helps you discover those answers.





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