The Missing Piece of the Productivity Equation: Willpower
When most people think about productivity, the first thing that comes to mind is time management. And while this is definitely an important piece of the puzzle, there is another critical factor that is often overlooked: willpower. This should be treated like the finite resource that it is. There is no limitless supply of it. In order to be productive, we need to make sure we are taking care of our willpower reserves so that we can stay focused and on task throughout the day.
But first, I need to make the case that willpower is a finite resource. Can you think about a time when you were trying to eat healthier? You probably found that you could start off the day fairly strong, getting a balanced breakfast. However as the day went on and by about the middle of the afternoon, you were more likely to reach for something out of convenience. The candy bowl in the office was much harder to stay away from, or the cookies in the pantry. In 1972, researchers did what was called the marshmallow test. They put a child in a room with a marshmallow and told them that if they waited 15 minutes to eat it, they would get a bigger reward. This experiment tested a child's ability to delay immediate gratification for long-term benefit. The children that were able to wait longer to eat the marshmallow had better outcomes academically, better handled frustration, and were healthier as they got older. The kids in this study had many creative ways of trying to avoid the tempting marshmallow, including covering their eyes with their hands- "out of sight, out of mind."
Willpower is the "ability to resist short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals." (Source) It should be a part of your planning for any given week. Here are some strategies that will help:
Less is more. When it comes to willpower, focusing on 1 to 2 important tasks each day will help you manage what finite willpower you do have. You can work in bursts especially at the beginning of the day when your energy is strongest. Energy will begin to wain as the day goes on and your willpower will too. Staying on task will be less viable.
Fuel your brain. Feed your brain adequate amounts to keep your energy strong. Your brain utilizes a higher proportion of the nutrients you intake. Ensure that you eat frequently and be diligent about what you are eating.
Willpower is strongest at the beginning of the day. To do the hard things, schedule them earlier in your day. We oftentimes start the day by looking at our email or getting back to people. Rethink where you start and get to your 1 or 2 big boulders for the day. This is when your willpower is the strongest to move the needle. You can reserve the second part of your day for tasks that are more mindless or easier to accomplish.
Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep, exercise, and build in relaxation time. When we are tired, our willpower is more likely to be depleted. It's important to have a well-rounded routine that prioritizes taking care of yourself so that you can take care of business. I often thought of myself as being this superwoman who could juggle twenty different balls at the same time. What I am realizing though, and it's taken me a long time to get here, is that everything suffers when I have given myself so many tasks. I have increased my anxiety off the charts that way too. I never give 110% to anything, and the results suffer. By organizing my environment with my willpower in mind, I hope to be more productive and present for the things that matter most.
What strategies do you use to conserve your willpower throughout the day? How do you prioritize what is important? I would love to hear from you in the comments! Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.