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>You know what the action required is, do it >If you do something, it is because you prioritised it higher then everything else. This is exactly the sort of n

>You know what the action required is, do it >If you do something, it is because you prioritised it higher then everything else. This is exactly the sort of non-actionable advice that the article says doesn't work, though. Saying that you just need to "prioritize" something is the same as saying you just need to focus more willpower - it doesn't work for most people. What it sounds like your friend did is used a mind trick to create a habit so it was a required part of his routine, which made it easier.

andrewstuart 3y ago
I agree with the advice in terms of "how do I do something"? You have to get off your arse and do it. That's the actionable advice. There's no substitute for action.
- danaris 3y ago
  Spoken like someone who has never had to struggle with executive function disorders.
s1artibartfast 3y ago
>What it sounds like your friend did is used a mind trick to create a habit so it was a required part of his routine, which made it easier. Whats the difference between a mind trick, willpower, decision, and dedication? Deciding that you will do something and not internally debating it IS willpower.
- imtringued 3y ago
  That's not willpower at all. I have to do things I don't want to do all the time. Once I am in the mindset, it is trivial to just continue it. If I go to sleep, it is easily lost and takes hours to recover. Therefore, the easiest way to do it, is to simply not go to sleep and stay up for another two hours and ruin my sleep. It's very easy, zero willpower is needed. Willpower is completely overrated. People who talk about willpower don't actually use it, they pretend that whatever they do requires a lot of willpower or demonstrates their willpower to make themselves look good.
  - s1artibartfast 3y ago
    What is willpower? I think physical power/ strength is an interesting analogy. A weightlifter can pick up 20lbs with ease, my frail mother couldn't if her life depended on it. What is the equivalent for mental strength?
- danaris 3y ago
  Right: that is willpower, which means that by the article's findings, even if it worked for one person, telling other people that they "just have to do it" won't work if it already hasn't worked for them.

andrewstuart 3y ago

I agree with the advice in terms of "how do I do something"? You have to get off your arse and do it. That's the actionable advice. There's no substitute for action.

danaris 3y ago
Spoken like someone who has never had to struggle with executive function disorders.

s1artibartfast 3y ago

>What it sounds like your friend did is used a mind trick to create a habit so it was a required part of his routine, which made it easier. Whats the difference between a mind trick, willpower, decision, and dedication? Deciding that you will do something and not internally debating it IS willpower.

imtringued 3y ago
That's not willpower at all. I have to do things I don't want to do all the time. Once I am in the mindset, it is trivial to just continue it. If I go to sleep, it is easily lost and takes hours to recover. Therefore, the easiest way to do it, is to simply not go to sleep and stay up for another two hours and ruin my sleep. It's very easy, zero willpower is needed. Willpower is completely overrated. People who talk about willpower don't actually use it, they pretend that whatever they do requires a lot of willpower or demonstrates their willpower to make themselves look good.
- s1artibartfast 3y ago
  What is willpower? I think physical power/ strength is an interesting analogy. A weightlifter can pick up 20lbs with ease, my frail mother couldn't if her life depended on it. What is the equivalent for mental strength?
danaris 3y ago
Right: that is willpower, which means that by the article's findings, even if it worked for one person, telling other people that they "just have to do it" won't work if it already hasn't worked for them.