How to Turn Cravings Into Willpower

By Mike A Elias

IN the book ‘Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength,’ Roy F. Baumeister says that one of the greatest drains of willpower is exercising self-control.

What he doesn't tell you is that "exercising self-control" is a waste of willpower.  

Turn cravings to willpower... and free your mind!

Exercising self control is battling to fulfill your conscious desires ("maintain a diet") despite what your other desires ("have that peanut butter cup") want to do.

But instead of fighting against yourself, you can effortlessly turn delinquent desires into assets to your willpower.

Here's how:

Just sit your ass down and feel it until it goes away.

Find an instance where you have to exercise self-control or resist a temptation.

Instead of fighting it with your willpower - struggling against it - give the desire attention without fighting against it, nor succumbing to it.

In other words, simply feel the physical sensations that you call "desire" without believing the thoughts that arise or taking the actions that follow from those thoughts.

This may be difficult at first, so here are some tips to help you if you're struggling:

1) Don't confuse what the desire is for with the feeling of desire itself

The question is NOT "What does it feel like to have what I'm craving" -- it's "What does it feel like to crave," whether it's nicotine, sex, or fruit loops.

2) If you're having trouble with Tip #1, practice this technique on sexual desire

How does it feel to be aroused? What are the literal physical sensations of it? Try to describe it (Tip #3).

By coming to understand the nature of desire itself - in an environment that is comfortable, familiar, and low-pressure - you are preparing yourself to conquer it "under fire," when it counts the most.

3) Describe the feeling of desire to yourself as if it were a physical entity

Close your eyes and "see" the emotional disturbance inside your body. Where is it? Your stomach? Your legs? Your throat?

What color is it? What shape is it? What size is it? How does it move inside you? Is it a warm, red tingling that slides up your bones? Is it a cool, grey mist that fills your guts?

These are the types of descriptions you're going for.

Here's why it works:

As physical pain results when the organization of the body is disturbed, emotional pain results when the organization of the psyche is disturbed.

Therefore, cravings and unwelcome desires are essentially emotions - disorganized "clumps" of consciousness.

And like physical pain, emotional pain demands attention. This is why repression is so unhealthy - eventually, the pain must be acknowledged.

The attention you give to the feeling of desire, or any emotion, allows it to find a harmonious relationship to the rest of your psyche, so you claim its power and it stops interfering with your peace.

Each time you "integrate" a desire by giving it the proper attention, you not only regain the willpower you would otherwise have spent fighting against it, you gain the power of the desire itself.

And you can now channel it toward whatever goal you choose.

With this technique, the feeling of peace is noticeable instantly, and there is no limit to its use.

This practice can be compared to Steps 1-3 in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery groups, which have helped millions of hopeless addicts reclaim their willpower and thrive.

It is also derived from the ideas on "letting go" presented in books like The Sedona Method by Hale Dwoskin and Healing and Recovery by Dr. David R. Hawkins.

See more at http://www.mikeelias.com and subscribe!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7480840

Building Self Confidence the Right Way

By Lesley A Knowles

YOUR confidence level depends on what you do and where you stand in your life right now.

When your confidence decreases, the best thing to do is pause, take a good look at yourself and figure out the steps you need to regain conviction.

You can build the confidence you desire

Success will come if you are able to do this. Lack of confidence will lead to doubts and derail your success. That is why it is important to boost one's self-esteem.

There are various ways to enhance your confidence depending on the level you want. Self-respect does not happen instantaneously but it will not take you an entire life span either.

You will see everything taking shape if you pay attention to this task.

It is necessary to give yourself some credit for accomplishing targets no matter how small these may be.

Concentrate not only on problems but achievements as well. Be pleased with the positive things that have come into your life.

The mere thought of your capabilities and strong points provide you with happiness and raise confidence levels.

Be grateful for pleasant things which you have obtained. Eliminate all anxieties and be contented with what you have. Avoid inferiority since it can only lead to a shortfall of confidence.

Develop a positive outlook in life. This will absolutely raise your confidence levels.

Adopting a pessimistic viewpoint will not do you any good.

The key is to look at the positive side of things. Think of yourself as highly competent just like your triumphant colleagues.

A positive mind can bring you happiness. Change your insights and your feelings will follow.

Prepare for any eventualities. Time will come when things can be ambiguous so you need to cope quickly. Be ready for anything or else you will be losing your sense of worth.

Choose things that will make you comfortable and boost your confidence.

Stay away from people who will attempt to bring you down and instill in your mind that you are not competent in achieving your objectives.

It does not matter if unscrupulous individuals surround you for as long as believe that things can be done.

Make it a point to dress smartly and be clean all the time since physical appearance will also lift up your confidence.

Finally, live an organized life. Come up with a doable plan of all the things that you want to do and how soon you want to accomplish these goals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7374079

How to Improve Willpower

By Dr. Jaime Kulaga

WILLPOWER is the ability to control yourself. Willpower is a certain level of inner strength. It can be associated with determination or even motivation.

Willpower is what you use when you want to go out with friends but don't so that you can study. 

How strong is YOUR willpower? (Pic by freedigitalphotos.net)

Willpower is what you use when you choose not to pick up a cigarette when you are trying to stop smoking. Willpower is how much power you have over yourself.

Take a moment to reflect on what aspects of your life you maintain strong willpower in. Now, take a moment to reflect on aspects of your life in which you have limited willpower.

Why do you think that is? What about this area of your life are you not as strong, determined, motivated or in control?

Here are a few ways that you can begin to increase your willpower in those areas.

Three ways to Improve your Willpower

1. Take personal responsibility

By placing ownership for things we are not coming through on, on something or someone else, we give the control over our decisions where it should not be going.

Willpower requires control of yourself. If you are handing it over to another person or thing, you will never have enough willpower to change or complete what you are trying to do.

Tip: Begin increasing willpower by taking full responsibility for decisions and actions that you take. In return you will see both your willpower and discipline rise.

2. Watch your Self-Talk

By watching how you talk to yourself as you make decisions, you are reinforcing your personal responsibility and freedom as a person.

Just as important, the way you talk to yourself has an influence over your confidence and inner strength. When you lack confidence and inner strength, you will notice your willpower goes down.

If you are consistently talking down to yourself, you decrease the level of key factors that can boost your willpower.

The stronger you feel about yourself, the more inner strength you will have to make decisions that are in your best interest.

Tip: Increase willpower by talking kindly to yourself.

3. Define your Purpose

In business you have to have a 3 and 5 year plan. Why? Because it gives you and those around you a direction and a vision.

You must have a purpose in each choice that you make for your company so that it moves in the direction of your goals. You need this same plan in life.

Create weekly, monthly and yearly goals or plans for yourself, and put them in a place where you can see these goals each day.

Then, each time you make a choice, be sure that it is in line with your purpose and direction.

If you know why you are here in this world and if you understand where you desire to go, then your willpower and control over your choices will be stronger.

Tip: Take time to reflect on your purpose in life. Create goals and plans for your future and take these into account with each decision you make.

Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a licensed mental health counselor and motivational speaker.

She is the author of. "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance".

She is the inspirational founder of the nationally-known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8994488