Customer Reviews

Willpower: How to Gain It and Maintain It

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That's roughly the authors' answer to how to gain and maintain willpower. This short book describes ten negative influences that can inhibit your willpower, and nine "Building Blocks" that are supposed to help you gain willpower. Unfortunately the authors devote only a few pages to each subject, and none are discussed to any significant depth or level of detail. These "Building Blocks" could have benefited from more specific examples of their being put into use, and case studies of people who have actually gone through their steps and gained more willpower as a result, but the book contains none of that.

Instead, the book seems to contain more vaguely motivational and superficial "pick-me-up" advice, delivered via a cutesy lightbulb character, without providing any specific, useful information. Worst of all, at various points the book emphasizes labor and perseverance as necessary ingredients for building willpower. People lack willpower precisely because they *don't* want to have to labor and persevere, and the book doesn't answer the question, "Well what if I don't have the strength to labor and persevere?"

The only section that seemed remotely helpful was the 1 1/2 pages devoted to imagining yourself obtaining your goals, also known as imagery or guided imagery. There are entire books devoted to this subject, which would probably be more helpful to obtaining your goals than this book. If you're looking for a vague, generic overview of willpower, then this book is for you. If you're looking for more specific, useful information and help, this book is *not* for you.

I've read this book at least ten times and every time it gives me a boost! I keep it handy as a constant reminder of the basic things I need to succeed. It's so quick and easy to read, which is a lifesaver when you're always pressed for time. I used the simple principles in the Anderson's book throughout my pregnancy and they helped to make the entire experience a pleasant and rewarding one. Each time I read this little "gem" I know I can do it. So can you.