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Will Power, the Good Guy (Mini Habits) – Lay Aside Every Weight

Goals & Priorities· Habits & Routines

3 Oct

Is “willpower” a dirty word for you, former procrastinators?  Do you cringe when you read that a mini habit is a very small positive behavior that you force yourself to do every day? Actually, will power is our God-given ally.  Forcing ourselves is better than waiting until we “feel like it” – and easier.  It removes weight from our shoulders.  Ironically, the results are highly motivating!

Last week we saw that motivation, though great, is an unreliable way to accomplish goals or form a new habit.  (Motivation Misconceptions, September 26, 2021)

But isn’t willpower unreliable?  Doesn’t it weaken and make it hard to hang in and form a habit?  Sometimes and yes.  But willpower is more controllable.

Rely on motivation and you could wait all week.  Take action and motivation is likely to show up.  Think, “action leads to motivation.”  With a goal of “Do one pushup” author Stephen Guise explains in Mini Habits how he moved into a full work out and a fit body.  His goal is still “Do one push up.”

Guise names three reasons why willpower is better:

  1. Willpower is reliable.  Forcing yourself to do something no matter what is more dependable than waiting for feelings.  That’s because…
  2. Willpower grows stronger with use – like a muscle.  We can improve our ability to act in spite of resistant feelings.
  3. Willpower strategies are schedule friendly.  You can plan a behavior and do it without motivation.

Mini Habits Avoid Willpower Depletion

In spite of these good points, will power can deplete.  We just give out.  The five biggest drains are below (in no special order) along with reasons mini habits do not drain willpower.  They preserve and strengthen it.

Effort.  Mini habits require so little effort they reduce the chance of burnout. Plus, you’ve accomplished something.

Perceived difficulty.  Starting in a small way sets things in motion.  Momentum and motivation move in.  Starting brings your mind into reality.  (“This job is not so huge.”) Even with an intimidating job, the aim of a mini habit is so small, there’s no risk of quitting.

Negative effect (unpleasant feelings).  Your mini habit commitment is so small you won’t feel negative about it.

Subjective fatigue (not fatigue). The battle in your mind could be how you perceive your strength compared to the task.  Acting on a mini habit brings a sense of power and energy.

Blood glucose levels.  Low sugar levels make us feel tired.  Mini habits use only a tiny bit of energy and willpower; they provide a boost.

Knowing how willpower works helps us take advantage of this God-given resource.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

When do you exercise willpower?  Making meals, going to work…

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

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2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
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Rebecca F.

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2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
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Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

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Julia F.

"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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