You may have seen advertisements trumpeting methods of changing a habit that require absolutely no willpower whatsoever. But can you really change a bad habit or create a good one without willpower? To answer this question, we first have to ask: "What is willpower?" Most people, sadly, think of it only as the ability to clench their teeth and resist attractive temptations. In this view, willpower means self-denial and no fun. No wonder people hope to make changes without it.
I define willpower as "using only the thought of your motivators to control your actions." Let's say your motivators are "prevent diabetes" and "reach a healthy weight". So if you are at the all-you-can-eat buffet, you think about your motivator—avoid diabetes through weight loss—and you take small portions and avoid the dessert table.
So, amazingly enough, willpower begins with a thought—a bright idea—some way to improve your life or contribute to others. This bright idea is your motivator.
Doctor Walter Mischel, an expert on willpower skills, uses the expressive term "a burning goal". Whether you call it a motivator, a burning goal, or a bright idea, this idea is the force behind your willpower.
What sort of bright ideas—motivators—make for effective willpower? In fact, any goal that you value strongly counts. The list may include good health, self-respect, a better future for your family, a personal mission and being a role model for your child. All these can certainly drive a positive change.