Ever feel like you got the short end of the stick when it comes to self-discipline or will power?
I ran across a series of experiments that indicate we have a finite self-discipline reservoir, not an infinite amount of self-discipline as we would like to think.
In one experiment, two groups were asked to come in to solve a puzzle. What they did not know was that the puzzle was insoluble. While in separate waiting rooms, a plate of fresh, warm cookies directly out of the oven was brought in and placed on the table in front of the group. They were informed that the cookies were not for them but for the next group, and to please refrain from eating them. A similar thing happened to the second group, except they were brought a tray of sliced cucumbers. After a number of minutes, the groups were ushered into another room to begin the puzzle. The experiment was designed to determine how long each group would persist on the puzzle before giving up. As you probably suspected, the group that had to withstand the temptation of the cookies lasted far less time on the puzzle than the cucumber temptation group.
In another experiment, one group of subjects was asked to hold their hands under ice water for a specified period of time. They performed significantly worse on a series of subsequent proofreading tasks than a group that had not been subjected to the ice water challenge.
These, as well as other experiments, illustrate convincingly that we all have less self-discipline than we realize and therefore we must call upon it selectively. Even small acts of self-control use up this limited reservoir of energy, leaving us less energy for the next task.
It does not mean that we are doomed to a life of mediocrity, it does mean that we must create habits. Once established, habits no longer require energy or self-discipline to perform. They actually take energy to break. The key is to methodically build a life of productive habits…one at a time. The temptation will be to start a number at once, like New Years resolutions. Use your precious, limited energy to build successful habits, one by one.
What if you established one new habit each quarter this year? Imagine the different results you would see in life.
The gates of history swing on small hinges.
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