When we want something bad enough, we are often willing to take certain steps, and even make certain sacrifices or adjustments, in order to achieve our desired results.
There is perhaps no personal characteristic, trait or quality more necessary under these circumstances than will power.
Many people talk about will power as if it is some sort of stand alone, magic elixir, but in reality, once one decides upon the need for will power, there are several steps or tricks that help us maintain our quest, and resist temptations.
1.
Before we can develop will power, we must clearly and comprehensively identify our goals.
These goals must be really important to you, or there will generally be no reason for someone to begin the quest for will power as it pertains to any one area of our existence.
It is very important for each of us to remember that what we want to achieve is often personal, and what is important to others, may not be important to us.
An example of this may be the need for weight loss.
In that circumstance, we must first clearly identify why we wish to lose weight.
Is it for essential health reasons? Is it because of a health scare? Is it for appearance sake? Whatever, the reason, we must each be clear on what we want to and why we want to do it.
Why is it really that important to you? 2.
Step two is to visualize the change.
We must use whatever means works for us to make achievement of these goals a personal priority that will motivate us to have the will power regarding this circumstance.
In the weight loss situation, do we visualize simply no longer gaining weight, or losing a few pounds, or something more significant.
We must create a specific goal to achieve within a specific time frame, and actually visualize our self looking the way we desire to be.
In today's digital world, it is a good idea to take a picture of ourselves and to then digitally alter the picture to how we would like to look, and to hang the two pictures some place conspicuous, so that we see it each day.
3.
We must commit to the change with realistic, yet specific, short- term, intermediate- term, and long- term goals, as well as committing to the steps we will take, and how will power will be factored in.
4.
It is easier to develop and maintain will power if we avoid temptations, as much as possible.
If one's personal food nemesis is, for example, candy or ice cream, or sugared beverages, the first step would be to remove those from easy access, and to avoid buying those in the food store.
In some cases, we can make substitutions that will ease the process, such as switching from sugared beverages to sugar free, etc.
5.
Employ the use of thrice daily affirmations.
These affirmations must be positive statements of the way you want the situation to be, and to put yourself in the proper mindset.
It is important to understand that the basic concepts of willpower can be employed in numerous activities.
How often do we hear people say they wish they could or would do something, but we then witness behavior to the contrary.
Will power must be a constant for it be beneficial, and those that commit to the procedure, generally achieve what others consider the undoable, or even the miraculous.