The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works

by Kelly McGonigal
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Psychology and Human Behavior
Technical
  • ID: 3956
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781583335086
  • Publisher: National Geographic Books
  • Published: 2013-12-31
  • Reviews: 3

The Willpower Instinct delves into the fascinating science behind self-control, revealing how it functions as a mind-body response that can be enhanced through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Kelly McGonigal, a renowned Stanford University psychologist, combines cutting-edge research from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine to explain the mechanics of willpower and its profound impact on health, happiness, and productivity. The book offers practical advice and exercises to help readers achieve their goals, from weight loss to improved parenting and increased productivity at work. Beyond the basics, The Willpower Instinct explores the nuances of self-control, such as the pitfalls of excessive self-control and the contagious nature of willpower failures. McGonigal emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and strategic control relinquishment to foster greater self-control. This book is a game-changer for anyone looking to understand and harness the power of willpower in their daily lives.

Reviews
SciJournal · 2022-04-16
practical 4.50

The book is praised for its insights into achieving goals and understanding the process of goal accomplishment.

This review from SciJournal highlights the book's focus on achieving goals and understanding the mechanisms behind goal accomplishment. The reviewer appreciates the book's practical advice and scientific insights, which they find helpful for anyone looking to improve their self-control and achieve their goals. They also note that the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the willpower instinct, making it a valuable resource for readers interested in psychology and self-improvement.

Quick quotes

    Happiness comes from achieving goals and understanding how we accomplish them.

    The Willpower Instinct provides practical advice and scientific insights.

    The book offers a comprehensive understanding of the willpower instinct.

Welfort · 2015-11-29
insightful 4.50

The practice of Anapanasati is highlighted as a powerful tool to build willpower and resilience against stress. Regular practice is shown to have significant benefits for mental well-being.

This review emphasizes the importance of Anapanasati, a mindfulness technique, in building willpower and reducing stress. According to the author, regular practice of this technique can make individuals more resilient to stress and improve their overall mental health. They appreciate how the book provides practical advice and scientific backing for these claims. The reviewer also notes that the book offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and enhancing self-control, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their willpower.

Quick quotes

    In accordance with Kelly McGonigal, research shows that regular practice of this technique can make you more resilient to stress and build your willpower.

    The book provides practical advice and scientific backing for these claims.

    The Willpower Instinct offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and enhancing self-control.

Reddit - NoFap · 2012-01-01
enlightening 4.00

The book's insights on addiction and cravings are found to be very similar to teachings from a monk, emphasizing acceptance and peace.

This Reddit discussion highlights how the book's approach to addiction and cravings aligns with the teachings of a monk. The reviewer appreciates the book's perspective on accepting cravings and finding peace with them, which they find very similar to mindfulness practices. They believe that the book's insights are valuable for anyone struggling with addiction or seeking to understand their cravings better. The discussion also touches on the practical applications of these teachings in everyday life.

Quick quotes

    In this video a monk describes how to look at your addiction, at your cravings and how to accept them and being in peace with them.

    It seems to be very similar to what Kelly McGonigal talks about in her book.

    This perspective is incredibly valuable for anyone dealing with addiction or cravings.

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