The Argumentative Essay: The Science Of Willpower

When people are asked why they use willpower, they usually answer that they want to accomplish their long-term goals. With the use of the will, one has restraint over their own impulses and is able to achieve their ambitions. For example, one will be able to restrain themselves from eating cake while on a diet with their practice of willpower. However, one needs motivation and determination in order to use willpower to meet one’s goal. Moreover, as one uses willpower for daily tasks they begin to form habits, requiring them to spend less willpower on these new habits. People also practiced the strategy of precommitment to get rid of unhealthy habits and to make room for new favorable ones. According to Webster's dictionary, willpower

For instance, even “his European companions marveled at his ‘strength of will’” (Tierney and Baumeister p. 144) as he continuously went through hardships on his expeditions. Across his journey, Stanley was viewed as someone who strove for a certain goal, no matter how dangerous it was to achieve happiness (Tierney and Baumeister p. 145). Moreover, Kelly McGonigal, who taught a course on “The Science of Willpower”, defines willpower “as the ability to do what matters most, even when it’s difficult or when some part of you doesn’t want to.” By using his willpower, Stanley was able to replace impulses based on short-term needs (Tierney and Baumeister p. 163) and focus on long-term needs. Furthermore, the structure of the will led to lasting effects on one’s mind. For instance, self control was helpful with the performance in school and work (Tierney and Baumeister p. 158). Another example was that it encouraged people get along with others as well as helped them become emotionally stable (Tierney and Baumeister p. 158). The power of one’s will encourages them to become a better and stronger

157). For example, Stanley made a habit of shaving on his journey and always did it no matter how difficult it was. This small habit kept Stanley in order and his appearance neat for self-respect and self-discipline (Tierney and Baumeister p.155-156). Moreover, one may believe that the energy wasted on shaving could have gone to better use. However, orderly habits improve one’s self-control and requires little energy. Furthermore, Stanley made writing in his diary a routine he would do every day while he conserved his willpower for the next time he would need it in the jungle. In addition, With the development of a routine daily tasks become organized and easier to accomplish. Finally, although the development of a habit may seem hard in the beginning, it becomes easier with the practice of willpower and eventually willpower isn’t even