The Power to Change Your Life Resides in Your "Will"—Four Abilities to Master Self-Management
"I know what I need to do, but I can't take action."
"I give up easily and can't keep things going."
"Before I know it, I'm just being swept along by people and circumstances."
Do you have these kinds of worries?
No matter how excellent your goals or plans are, they are meaningless if you cannot execute them.
The key to overcoming that barrier lies in the "power of will."
In fact, humans are equipped with four abilities that other living creatures do not possess: self-awareness, imagination, conscience, and will.
Among these, the one most essential for self-management is "will."
In this article, we will delve into how to hone the power of will and manage your life yourself.
Will is the "power to decide and act"
Will is the power to decide, choose, and then take action.
It is not merely "motivation" or "mood."
The strength of will is the power to continue acting based on the choices you believe in, without being swayed by surrounding influences or temptations.
In other words,
Not being swayed by the expectations of others
Not being controlled by temporary emotions
Not giving in to immediate temptations
The source for maintaining this attitude is "will."
For example, dieting, quitting smoking, or making studying a habit.
Many people give up halfway because their will is nothing more than a "temporary resolution."
However, true will refers to the "persistence" to see through what you have decided to do until the end.
Case study: A corporate leader who succeeded in self-management by training their will
A young leader at a company I coached previously had issues with their management skills.
When work became busy, their handling of subordinates became sloppy, and their priorities would waver.
So, I had them work on self-management with an awareness of the "power of will."
They first began training by writing down "three things I will definitely accomplish today" in their morning routine and executing them no matter what.
At first, they almost gave up because things didn't go as planned due to sudden meetings or troubles.
However, as they decided to "definitely do it even if it gets late" and stuck to it, their power of will was gradually strengthened.
Three months later, their handling of subordinates and management of priorities had improved significantly.
They also began to be evaluated within the company as a "reliable leader."
Problem: How can one train their will?
Many people lament that they have a "weak will."
However, will is not something you are born with; it is like a muscle that can be trained.
You can steadily increase your power of will through the following three steps.
Step 1: Accumulate Small Decisions
Willpower is fragile when you try to accomplish big things all at once.
Start by...
Getting up immediately in the morning
Reading for just 10 minutes
Tidying your desk every day
Start by keeping small promises like these.
“If I decide to do it, I will do it.” This accumulation strengthens the muscles of your will.
Step 2: Utilize Self-Awareness, Imagination, and Conscience
If you try to push forward with willpower alone, you tend to become blind.
That is why you should utilize the other three abilities that support your will.
Self-Awareness: Objectively viewing your current state
Imagination: Envisioning the future that lies beyond this action
Conscience: Asking yourself what is truly the right choice for you
When these three are combined with willpower, you gain the power to choose the path you truly should take and follow through with it.
Step 3: Reflection and Correction
Willpower is not perfect.
You will likely experience failure and setbacks.
That is why it is important to reflect on “why you couldn't do it” and “how you can do better next time.”
This process further strengthens your will and leads to flexible management skills.
Summary: The Power of Will Designs Your Life
Will is not just mere “motivation.”
It is the power to decide, choose, and follow through to the end.
And it can certainly be trained through the accumulation of daily choices and actions.
No matter how wonderful your goals or plans are, they are meaningless if you cannot execute them.
If you gain the power of will, you also gain the power to design your life exactly as you wish.
The small decisions you make today will create the you of the future.
Now, what kind of self will you choose?
