Building habits can strengthen willpower from "summary" of The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel
In the marshmallow experiment, children were able to resist the temptation of eating a marshmallow immediately in order to receive a second one later. This ability to delay gratification is closely related to willpower. Some children were able to resist because they distracted themselves by covering their eyes or turning around. These strategies helped them avoid the temptation in the moment. However, the children who were successful in resisting the marshmallow did not simply rely on sheer willpower alone. They had developed habits and strategies that helped them resist temptation. By practicing these strategies over time, they became more automatic and ingrained in their behavior. This highlights the idea that building habits can strengthen willpower. By creating habits that help us make better decisions, we can conserve our willpower for more challenging situations that require self-control. For example, if we make it a habit to exercise every morning, we are less likely to struggle with the decision to work out each day. The habit becomes a routine part of our day, requiring less effort and willpower to maintain.- Building good habits can serve as a foundation for strengthening our willpower. When we have routines and strategies in place to help us make better decisions, we are less reliant on sheer willpower to resist temptation. This can ultimately lead to more long-term success in achieving our goals and making positive changes in our lives. By cultivating habits that support our goals, we can empower ourselves to overcome challenges and stay on course towards a brighter future.
