Reboot those Flagging Resolutions

Community Manager — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Well, we're a month into the New Year. How are those resolutions holding up? Odds are your willpower and resolve is flagging. After all many of us quit on resolutions by February and all but a few have thrown in the towel by spring.

Looking to reboot those resolutions? We hear you. We're giving our own resolutions a shot in the arm with the ideas we picked up from these great sources. Onwards and upwards!

There's an App for That: Well, there isn't technically a willpower app, but these 25 apps can certainly help you manage resolutions to be more productive, organized and fit. Every little bit helps right?

Back to Basics: While most of us make resolutions, few of us stick to them. Studies show that successful resolution makers generally follow the steps outlined in this useful article. By reviewing the basics, such as pick a partner, be realistic and break your resolution down into discrete, do-able steps, you arm yourself with a solid foundation for success.

Create Meaning: If you knew that for every mile clocked on the treadmill or for every cigarette not smoked, you were helping a needy child, wouldn't it make is easier to forge ahead during moments of weakness? Website 1purpose.com lets you link your resolutions to specific charities; when you log hours spent working on your resolutions, donations are made to charities of your choice. Now that's motivating!

Are your resolutions flagging? What helps you recommit and regroup when it comes to resolutions? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Boosting Willpower: Is It Possible?

Community Manager — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:51:00 GMT

The fall and winter holidays test willpower like nobody's business. No sooner has the last piece of Halloween candy been consumed than we succumb to stuffing-and-pumpkin-pie season. And it's a mere blink between that last bite of turkey and the first candy cane. Next up, eggnog, hot chocolate and New Year's champagne. Do you think it's possible to boost one's willpower before the chocolate Easter eggs and jelly beans start rolling out?

Experts are divided on whether willpower is fixed and limited, dictated by biology and our brain's hard-wiring, or if willpower is self-renewing, capable of being increased through consistent application and hard work.

We're no experts, but we like the findings of a recent New York Times article Willpower: It's in Your Head which concludes that willpower is only limited if you believe it is so. When people believe that willpower is self-renewing, that hard work provides energy to work even harder and that resisting one temptation makes resisting the next even easier, we see that boosting willpower is possible.

Ready to get started? We like the advice in How to Boost Your Willpower.

Tips include:

Think of willpower as a mental muscle, avoid physical and mental forces that weaken it and look for chances to exercise and strengthen self-control.
Keep glucose levels at an even keel. Low glucose levels weaken control and can lead to binges.
Laughter and positive thoughts are clinically proven to help increase self-control. Happy hormones build willpower so practice positive thinking.
Start small, with easy to master tasks that improve self-control gradually, in order to strengthen willpower for bigger challenges.

Do you agree that willpower can be strengthened with practice and mind over matter? What are your favorite tricks for exerting willpower? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Beyond Folders : willpower

Reboot those Flagging Resolutions

Boosting Willpower: Is It Possible?