The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines willpower as “The ability to control yourself: strong determination that allows you to do
something difficult (Such as losing weight or quit smoking) Now I like to keep you very informed at all times and there will be certain things I would like to hammer into your conscious mind every time I get a chance, So always remember losing weight is not important, losing fat is, a bodybuilder might weigh more than you but will appear leaner than you.

I was once 70kg with about 20% of fat and then I was 70kg with 10% of body fat, my waist line was 30 inches and I appeared super lean, the secret was, I was stronger, faster and fitter and with a lot of muscle mass, instead of fat. Muscle even help fight cancer, even if we don’t have the slightest chance of getting it, the truth still prevails, survival of the fittest.

Now back to the topic, will power is mostly self-control, willpower is the ability to go against the flow of your emotions.
So let’s get to know some everyday ways by which you can improve your willpower and know what exactly it is.

What is willpower?

“When you want to succeed, as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful” – Eric Thomas

In a hypothetical sense, it’s the power that allows you to do impossible tasks, achieve remarkable feats which seemed humanly impossible and it is the power that helps you at the most crucial point when you are facing a challenge.

We all know that amazing tale of a Greek runner, who during the war between the Persians and the Greek, ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of their victory. Philippides ran ceaselessly, he could not even drink much water during his run because that could backfire and weaken his body immediately.

How did he accomplish such a remarkable feat? Even though his energy reserves were depleted, his body was trembling with pain physically, his lungs were burning, how was he able to complete his journey and deliver such an important message? I know you know the answer, its will power.

Anything is possible through willpower.

The only thing will power requires is a strong desire and a worthy cause to kindle eternally. He knew, that if he fails to deliver the message, his nation will be in shambles and lose a won victory. The desire to save his people was stronger than the pain he felt inside his body, his desire to complete his mission was a strong enough distraction to let every pulsation of pain go unnoticed.

Willpower is simply the desire to attain something beyond our abilities because the cause is bigger than the man and the dream is better than reality.

Willpower is self-discipline, willpower is the ability to be distraction free and you can be distraction free only when your desire to attain something is bigger than any other thing that’s attracting your attention.

How to start building willpower

1. Purposely put yourself in uncomfortable situations

“No pain no Gain” – The Internet

Comfort is the enemy of growth, evolution happened because of discomfort. Our survival focused brain will never do more than necessary for survival.

If you want to accomplish outstanding feats in life, then discomfort is the only option. Because if you are living comfortably, very comfortable indeed, I mean if you barely have to walk at most 2 miles a day and most of your commute is either by car, escalators, and elevators, then your brain is doing even less work but is very happy cause of the comfort.

However eventually our willpower is diminishing. A farmer can walk for hours and miles, we on the other hand, if sometimes due to maintenance we find that the escalators to a particular section are not functional, the mere 10 to 12 steps feel like a drag, tiring and a discouraging experience.

Air conditioners are our solution to all kinds of weather, we cannot even bear a minute of cold or heat and start to feel hopeless and agitated within minutes of being exposed to uncomfortable climate.

We are reverse adapting, instead of becoming better with better technology at our disposal and better chances and options for growth, we are being reverse engineered and are eventually turning weak. Our body instead of getting used to new challenges is becoming incapable of handling the previous basic tasks.

Instead of propelling ourselves, way further on the course of evolution, we are actually becoming dependent on technology more and more and are losing our organic prowess to deal with things.

After putting forth that explanation, my very simple advice to you is, start exposing yourself to uncomfortable situations, basic things really, walk more and drive only when absolutely necessary, Sometimes expose yourself to natural elements and live as if you are living in the Stone Age, bear the heat, bear the cold and nonetheless still try to focus on your work, see if you can completely forget about the surroundings.

You can get very creative with this idea but just be cautious don’t overdo it unless you are really confident.

2. Adopt the right body language

“Your mind will mimic your body and vice versa.” – Don’t know who, Maybe it’s me

The quote above comprises years of reading on various topics such as psychology and body language. Also years of observation of myself and others. Fake it till you make it works because your mind believes what your body does and your body does what your mind believes. Yes! If you are a complete fluff talk then it will work only till you get caught.

I cannot prove the accuracy of this account, however back in the days of the world war 2, before attacking England, Hitler sent his spies to understand the English mind before initiating an attack.

Those spies were well-trained experts in psychology and body language, what they noticed was, that the English people of that time, had a very erect, straight and a disciplined body language. Very confident and a body language which spoke of pride.

They conveyed all this data to Hitler and he and his generals only had one thing to say “England is not going to be an easy target” and this was proven true when the attacks began and Winston Churchill famously proclaimed that “We shall never surrender.”

So start walking tall, stand straight, walk straight, don’t slouch or shift your weight on one feet or another while you stand. Sit with an erect posture, your spine should be completely straight, yes, even though it’s an “S” shape but don’t bend or stoop too much.

Don’t drag your feet along the ground every time you walk, take confident proper steps and raise your feet completely and place it confidently forward every time. Notice if you drag your feet even a little while you walk. Stand without support, maintain an open body language and don’t cross your hands in front of your body every time you face someone.

If you consciously work on your body language every day and develop a strong confident one over time, especially the standing tall and sitting straight part, you will notice a significant improvement in your will power.

3. Exercise

“45 minutes equal to 4% time of the day. What you gain, lasts for a lifetime. Exercise.” – Some data and some philosophy

You know I am very clever, the only reason I kept this point as the 3rd one is because I know that for the majority of the population just exercising requires more willpower than anything else in the world. So I suggested you 2 simple ways of boosting your willpower and those should help you get started with working out.

Exercising is one of the simplest ways to boost willpower. The ability to endure physical discomfort and pain greatly enhances your ability to strive further during difficult times. Plus if you want results, you have to do a multitude of things, like drink proper amount of water, eat right and workout regularly. Skipping isn’t an option.

So doing something regularly, boosts your willpower as well. Eating right and drinking the right amount of water has benefits too, say like vitamin D, helps in the fighting of anxiety and depression, boosting the feeling of well-being and vigor.

When you do something every day regardless of your life situations, you tell your sub-conscious mind that even though one thing is in a problem, the whole world isn’t and we can keep going, keep doing at least one productive thing by which we can stay on track, physically and mentally. When you face a crisis in life, at least do any one thing religiously without fail, you will notice the transformative power of regularity and how greatly it will boost your confidence and will power.

No matter what happens physical exertion is easy to enact, you can do it anywhere at any time, you don’t require money, place or time to do it. So to continually keep your willpower energized, don’t forget to exercise no matter what.

You will reap its rewards forever and mark my words, you won’t notice its miraculous results unless and until you really try it, try not to waver of your workout routine even during the most challenging time of your life and you will know what I mean.

I am not preaching what I haven’t done, I am telling you what I have experienced.

Also exercising helps you remain healthy and fit throughout the year. Good amount of oxygen in your body equals to no depression, enthusiasm will be your friend. Exercising also releases feel-good hormones in your body, which act like natural healers and your mood will remain stable.

During the time of crises, the least a man can have is a fit and healthy, mind and body.

Conclusion

“Ultimately, the only power to which man should aspire is that which he exercises over himself.” – Elie Wiesel

Ultimately will power is self-control, the better you remain in control of your emotions, actions, desires, and body, the better you will be able to achieve your goals.

Willpower is delayed gratification. The ability to sacrifice now, to reap long-term rewards later. The ability to endure discomfort now, to adapt and live better tomorrow.

Willpower is also understanding the purpose of your action when you have a clear purpose and result in front of your eyes like Philippedes.

What I want you to understand is that be strong, use the techniques above to get better at it and don’t give in to your impulses, majority of a human’s life is wasted by acting on impulses, control your Impulses, control your actions and you will discover freedom like never before.

Believe me, the day you truly decide of never giving up and doing something, you will be unstoppable and your willpower will never run out. It will be limitless.

So when are you going to start building yours?