#BHBC - The Willpower Instinct

This month, the BlogHer Book Club is reading The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.

My copy arrived a bit later than usual and I was scared I wouldn't get it read in time, but thanks to being sick all week (yes, please read that with the sarcasm intended) I finished with time to spare. That being said, I am looking forward to re-reading it, but slower to let some more of the details sink in (it's packed!). 

Authored by the instructor of the much acclaimed Stanford University course "The Science of Willpower", The Willpower Instinct goes into much detail to prove that willpower is not simply a virtue, but a mind-body response which can be actively worked upon and improved through simple activities including tracking results, meditation and simple mindfulness.

McGonigal goes into both the physiological and psychological factors that play the biggest roles in our self-control.  Personally, I found the psychological aspects more interesting to read and was definitely able to understand how we try to trick ourselves into exhibiting undesirable behavour... called moral licensing.  This chapter totally shed some light on all those celebrity/politicial/leader scandals and why so many of them happen in the first place.

What is your biggest willpower challenge?  Join our conversation...

I receive compensation for participating in the BlogHer Book Club.  Opinions, as always, are all mine.