Willpower and New Year Resolutions

Having a hard time even thinking about resolutions because you just know you'll give in by February.

Blame it on the brain.

Willpower, like a bicep, can only exert itself so long before it gives out; it's an extremely limited mental resource.

The latest neuroscience research suggests spreading resolutions out over time is the best approach, in this Wall Street Journal article by Jonah Lehrer.

The study mentioned in the article that caught my eye is the one about distraction (and marshmallows).



“People who are better at delaying gratification don't necessarily have more restraint. Instead, they seem to be better at finding ways to get tempting thoughts out of their minds.”

In this case, distractions are a good thing.

Ellen