DecisionSkills Articles

New Year's Resolutions: Strengthen Your Resolve

1/2/2014

Willpower and goals

Making resolutions and setting goals are both strategies for change. Deciding which strategy is best depends on understanding willpower and the type of change you want to make or action you want to take. Research has demonstrated that willpower is a rather limited resource, but like a muscle it can be strengthened. Both resolutions and goals help us exercise our willpower, but there is a key difference. While most resolutions such as to no longer smoke are indefinite, goals such as to lose 10 lbs. are time-bound. This difference becomes important as you learn to exercise and strengthen your resolve. Why?

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