Yesterday I was taking some down time scrolling around Netflix, Hulu and such. In my drowsy state I  looking for a repeat experience and I came across the Green Lantern movie. This movie was not too intense, I could watch it with minimal attention, and was not too long. It was just right. In my sleepy state of watching the movie it focused on will. Will was what overcame fear. The desire to overcome something, to want something, to choose something.

Let’s talk about will.

Willpower is all the about the determination and strength of will to pursue ones dreams, goals, desires. It’s about when the going get’s touch the tough keep going. Will is that steady voice that says keep it at, don’t give up, you’ve got it. Our will believes in our capabilities even when we are uncertain.

Will is tough stuff💪🏽💪🏼💪🏿

A 2011 Stress in America Survey reported the GREATEST obstacle to change was willpower. Yep willpower. “The Willpower Instinct” authored by Kelly McGonigal a Stanford University Psychologist based upon her course “The Science of Willpower”. Willpower according to McGonigal is comprised of three things.

  • I won’t power
  • I will power;
  • I want power (remembering what you really want)

According to McGonigal in an article in Scope “psychologists have found that willpower is a lot like stress: It’s not just a psychological experience, but a full-blown mind-body response. The stress response is a reaction to an external threat, for example a fire alarm going off. In contrast, the willpower response is a reaction to an internal conflict. You want to do one thing, such as smoke a cigarette or supersize your lunch, but know you shouldn’t. Or you know you should do something, like file your taxes or go to the gym, but you’d rather do nothing.

The need for self-control sets into motion a coordinated set of changes in the brain and body that help you resist temptation and override self-destructive urges. It’s called the pause-and-plan response and it puts your body into a calmer state, unlike the adrenaline rush of stress. It also sends extra energy to the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which keeps track of your goals and helps you override impulses and cravings. The result is you have the mindset and motivation to do what matters most”.

So how do we tap into our will plus power to get our willpower? What steps and actions can we take? Think of it this way. In order to have your will about something become your super willpower begin with looking at your goals. Begin with picking one or two things about your life you want to accomplish. Plan (yes plan) on how you will achieve your goals. Be thoughtful and realistic about how to go about making a change. Think about the steps you will take. Plan for when your self-control/will is feeling weak as this will happen for what you will do. Plan for the expectation that will you NOT 100% of the time work towards your goal. You will slip, you will waiver. Expect that to occur. This does not mean you give up on what you are working towards. When that does happen you get back up, dust yourself off, and keep working towards your goal.

When the Green Lantern was battling Parallax, who was all about consuming people because Parallax smelled their fear, the Green Lantern kept repeating his pledge. Was the Green Lantern afraid? Yes! What he used to overcome his fear was his will, his oath, his pledge and vow to help others.

In brightest day, in blackest night,

No evil shall escape my sight

Let those who worship evil’s might,

Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!

What is your oath, pledge, vow to yourself? What are the things you want to accomplish to achieve your goals, dreams, desires? Will it require changes in how you live your life, how you do things? Of course. Will you have to improve on your self-control, discipline, when fear, temptations arise? Yes. Take actions to make you proud of yourself. Work towards your goals that you believe you can accomplish no matter what anyone else says. Along my life on quite a few goals I have had a number of people who cared about me questioning my decisions, my quests, my goals. I knew I could achieve them. I needed to distance myself from their fears, doubts and continue to take steps towards what I knew I wanted to do and could do.

This anonymous quote says it all:

“Willpower is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets”

Amazing person you can do this. You can tap into your will plus power to work towards your goals, dreams, desires. Make a plan, take an action, when you backslide get up and keep on going. You are so deserving and so capable of whatever it is you want to achieve.

May your will be with you💜

Photo on Unsplash by ‏🌸🙌 فی عین الله