Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy Baumeister
Summary
Baumeister and Tierney explore willpower as one of the two main determinants of success, alongside intelligence. They argue that self-control is not fixed but can be developed, drawing on research, anecdotes, and practical techniques to illustrate this point. The book highlights the limits of willpower, the role of glucose in self-control, and how structure, accountability, and pre-commitment can strengthen it.
Key Insights
Willpower is finite — self-control can be depleted, leading to poorer decision-making and irritability. Low glucose levels exacerbate this.
Goal setting matters — rank goals to avoid conflicts; focus on short-term, actionable steps.
Break tasks into “doable” actions — prevents overwhelm and helps maintain momentum.
The Zeigarnik effect — unfinished tasks occupy mental space; use detailed lists to offload them.
Self-awareness improves behaviour — mirrors, observation, and accountability encourage better conduct.
Physical cues — posture can affect self-control; standing tall reinforces discipline.
Pre-commitment — remove temptations before they become a problem.
Implementation intentions — use “if X, then Y” plans to prepare for temptation or stress.
Time discipline — avoid procrastination; follow Chandler’s rule: you don’t have to work, but you can’t do anything else.
Reward small wins — small incentives help establish new habits.
Strengths
Combines psychology research with relatable stories and practical advice.
Offers clear, implementable strategies for increasing self-control.
Highlights the physical and environmental factors affecting willpower.
Weaknesses
Some scientific claims (e.g., ego depletion) have been challenged in later research.
Heavy reliance on anecdotes may dilute the empirical rigour.
Reflections
The book’s most powerful idea is that willpower can be trained like a muscle, improving through regular, small exercises. Its emphasis on pre-commitment, accountability, and structuring the environment is particularly applicable to daily productivity and habit formation.
Conclusion
A persuasive and practical guide to developing self-control, with a balance of theory and tools. While some underlying science is debated, the behavioural strategies remain useful and easy to adopt.
Book Details
Title: Will Power: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength
Author: Roy Baumeister
Publication Year: 2011
Genre: Will Power
Reference: Skylark Vol. 3 p.2
← Previous: Teams That Succeed By Harvard Business Review