The Willpower Instinct

How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

By: Kelly McGonigal

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal's wildly popular course "The Science of Willpower", The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity.

Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, The Willpower Instinct explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters. For example, listeners will learn:

• Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
• Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health.
• Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower
• Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control.
• Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control.
• Willpower failures are contagious - you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends­­ - but you can also catch self-control from the right role models.

In the groundbreaking tradition of Getting Things Done, The Willpower Instinct combines life-changing prescriptive advice and complementary exercises to help listeners with goals ranging from losing weight to more patient parenting, less procrastination, better health, and greater productivity at work.

©2011 Kelly McGonigal (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The Willpower Instinct is a new kind of self-help book. Using science to explain the why and strategies for the how, McGonigal has created a must-read for anyone who wants to change how they live in both small and big ways." (Book Page)

"Each chapter could stand on its own as something helpful, but taken as a whole, this book could be downright life-altering. If you are trying to lose weight, become more successful at work, rid yourself of toxic habits...heck, if you're HUMAN, you need to read this book." (Library Thing)

“This book has tremendous value for anyone interested in learning how to achieve their goals more effectively. McGonigal clearly breaks down a large body of relevant scientific research and its applications, and shows that awareness of the limits of willpower is crucial to our ability to exercise true self control.” (Jeffrey M. Schwartz, MD, co-author of You Are Not Your Brain and author of best-selling Brain Lock)

Narrator sounds like a robot

Kelly should have narrated this herself. The narrator sounds like a robot and it is distracting and takes away from the book's content.

Absolutely awesome.

I’ve read just about every book out there on this topic and this one takes the cake.

Don't skip this one!

The best self help book I've read. Scientific advice without bullshit.

Narrator is ok, I wish that it was narrated by a woman since the author is female but I respect their choice.

Enlightening!!!

Amazing book, it clearly explains how our brain is designed and how to be aware of it to make better decisions.

Great

Evidence based, relevant to today
The narrator sounded good
It was an interesting listen that I will put into practice

Good info as to why

I enjoyed the information and the performance of the reader. Definitely something to put the use. Should be something everyone would appreciate.

Life-Changing

This book really helped me to quit cigarettes, If it weren't for this book I wouldn't have been able to gather a will-power. really lifechanging!

The Only Book On Habit Forming You Need

I've read a few books on habit building, including James Clears Atomic Habits. This book, The Willpower Instinct, is by far the best of them. It's designed like a ten week corse with self reflection, tips, and guidance in each chapter. You'll learn why we promise ourselves will "start tomorrow," but never do, how to overcome urges, and even a bit of how to control your environment so you can over come your "bad habits."
My psychology teacher, who is a psychologist specializing in OCD, recommended this book. Now, after reading and studying it for the last 2 weeks, I'm recommending it to you, and all my friends. It's helped me move toward my goals of waking up early, daily meditation, and daily exercise. May it help you too!

Life changing

I strongly recommend this book for everyone who struggle with achieving goals! It’s brilliant! It’s both scientific and practical, deep and fun!

worth the time

it took me some time to go through it, but it was worth it. i am recommending this to my sisters :)