Customer Reviews

The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of It

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I titled my review that way because that is one of the chapters in the book---don't read this chapter. The chapter talks about how if you tell someone not to think about something, that is all they will think about. The point is that some of the things we think will help willpower are the very things that undermine it.

Each of the nine main chapters are clear and to the point. each discusses one aspect of the willpower issue, from how our brains work to how we think about things, and how the two work together, often to work against our willpower. Then in each chapter, McGonigal presents exercises we can use to overcome the blocks to our willpower.

The book is both theoretical in that it draws on a large range of research, from neurology to sociology to psychology, and very practical, showing how the research can be used in everyday situations.

Among my favorite chapters are: The Willpower Instinct: Your body was born to resist cheesecake, and License to sin: Why being good give us permission to be bad.

I read this book after reading Daniel Kahneman's book, Thinking, fast and Slow. Willpower was a nice follow up in that, while it did not reference Kahneman, it nevertheless showed some practical applications of what Kahneman was saying.

This book was really great. It explains the brain in the willpower process. It has actually affected my control by making me WANT different things. I'm not starting my second read. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with a willpower issue.

Anyone interested in learning about the will power factor will be missing something if he or she does not read this book. It not only tells the basics of what will power is all about, but offers practical ways to strengthen and harness it.

This book has so much practical and relevant information about willpower. The writing has got an easy flow and uses humour. It's an important topic so I find this book well worth the read.

More diet books should discuss how to control our brains because it's not all about will power. Very helpful book!