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

How to Stop Procrastinating - The 15-Minute Method

By Remez Sasson

IS it possible to break the habit of procrastination?

It is so easy and requires no effort to procrastinate, to put off tasks that we don’t feel like doing.

Why do we procrastinate? There are several reasons why this happens:

1. We might not know how to start the task. 
   
2. The task might be big and intimidating.
3. We might not have the necessary knowledge and information for the task.
4. We don’t like the task.
5. We feel we don’t have the energy and the patience for the task.
6. We are preoccupied with other matters.

These reasons, make us to put off big and important tasks, as well as small tasks.

Continuously procrastinating over tasks can have severe long-term effects on your future, work, and relationships.

This means that it is of the utmost importance for everyone to learn to stop procrastinating.

How to stop procrastinating?

There are various ways to tackle the problem of procrastination. One of my favorite techniques is to practice willpower and self-discipline exercises.

I have written a lot about this subject, including a book titled, ‘Strengthen Your Willpower and Self-Discipline’.

The possession of these skills enables you, not only to overcome procrastination, but also to overcome laziness and other negative habits, as well as become more assertive and confident.

A method you might have read about elsewhere is ‘The 15 Minute Method’. It is a simple and powerful method, if you have problems getting started on different activities and put them off.

Some people have problems starting on tasks - not sure where to begin - especially when the task is too big.

Others, have a lot of trouble tackling uncomfortable situations, and therefore, put it off.

The 15-minutes method is a good solution to the problem

1. All you do is to promise yourself to work on a task for 15 minutes, no longer.
2. Once you have devoted those 15 minutes you can take a break or do something you enjoy.
3. You need to be completely focused on your task during those 15 minutes. Don’t do anything else, and don’t let anything distract you.
4. To make it even easier, clear your mind of other tasks, take a deep breath, and set a timer for 15 minutes.

As you can see, it is an easy way to break procrastination. You just go to work for 15 minutes, and therefore, big tasks don’t seem formidable and intimidating anymore. You know you are going to work at this task for just 15 minutes, and this makes you feel more at ease.

This helps you get rid of the reasons for procrastinating.

You can use this method when studying, reading, cleaning the house, your cupboard or your basement. You can use it when you mow the grass, clean your yard, cook, and for a lot other tasks, big or small.

If you want to become truly proficient at time management and overcome the habit of procrastination, I suggest you join “The Time Management Expert Course”. It has a whole section on how to conquer procrastination, and teaches a complete system on how to best manage your time.

Join “The Time Management Expert Course”.

Article source: http://tiny.cc/uhv0ax