The third principle in my willpower series states: You can improve self-discipline when you Optimize Your Environment! The best way to dominate your willpower battles is by winning them before willpower is even demanded. If you wait for temptation in order to resist it, half the battle is already lost. On the other hand, if you avoid temptation, you can win the battle with minimal effort. Watch my introductory video to get the gist of this principle: Self-control needn't always be a … [Read more...]
What Is Pride? On the Feeling of Greatness
Pride is golden and radiant, and seventeen things more! Pride is the passion of a great, strong soul that feels its power; vanity is only the pleasure for a small, weak soul that overestimates petty things beyond merit. (Karl Julius Weber) 1. Pride is biologically adaptive. The evolutionary function of pride is to communicate social status nonverbally. An erect, expansive posture with a glowingly confident smile signals a high rank in the social hierarchy. With an authentic expression of … [Read more...]
The Path to Mindcoolness #1
Sometimes, when you feel angry, you want to feel angry. Sometimes, when you feel sad, you want to feel sad. You don't even allow yourself to feel any different. You don't want to keep cool. You choose these emotions. You crave them. You know you could meditate on what you feel to cool your mind. You don't want to. You need the bad emotions. You cling to them. You think they provide you with life. You fear coolness. You know you could live an exciting life: date, fuck, travel, hustle, … [Read more...]
Willpower: Lessons in Self-Discipline #2
The second principle in my willpower series states: You can teach yourself discipline when you Understand What's Important! Do you sometimes tell yourself "It's (whatever it is) not that important"? A Siren Call of Weakness It's not that serious. There's no need to worry about it. You shouldn't take life so seriously. You should enjoy yourself and be happy. You only live once. These statements contain good advice—if used in proper context. However, if you tell them to … [Read more...]
Willpower Fatigue Impairs Athletic Performance
Ego depletion is the theory that your willpower is a limited global resource that can be temporarily depleted. For example, when you must control your anger at incompetent drivers on your way to the gym, you'll have less willpower to hit the weights hard. I've recently discussed new scientific evidence that did not support this theory. However, just as recently, Englert (2016) has reviewed the relevant studies that were published over the past six years—again highly supportive of the ego … [Read more...]