Willpower: Can Someone Use Willpower To Get What They Want?

When someone has gone through a difficult time in their life, it is often said that it was their will to survive that pushed them through. Part of them was not willing to give in, and this is what allowed them to keep going.

Therefore, it could be said that this is a force that is not only vital when it comes to one’s ability to survive; it is also a vital part of their ability to thrive. On one hand then, it could be seen as what will allow one to go through bad patch and come out the other side, and on the other hand, it could be seen as what will allow one to achieve what they want to achieve.

Focus

When one is able to use willpower to keep going, no matter what is taking place, it doesn’t mean that they won’t experience inner conflict. Part of them may want to give in, or to take another route, for instance.

However, even though this is the case, it is not going to stop them from doing what they are doing. They are likely to have a clear focus and this is what will keep them on track.

Emotions

What this is likely to show is that they are not controlled by their emotions, and that their mind is in charge. If this wasn’t the case, they would always end up being overwhelmed by their emotions and they wouldn’t be able to keep going.

They may pay attention to how they feel and to use the information that they provide, but that could be as far as it goes. Another way of looking this would be to say that they respond to their emotions like a loving parent would respond to their child.

Regulation

This can then show that they have the ability to regulate their whole system, and this is going to play a big part in their ability to be so resourceful. There will be times when they will need to sooth different parts of themselves, and through doing this; it will be a lot easier for them to maintain their focus.

What this comes down to is that the fact that human beings are made up of many different parts. There is not just their adult self; there is also their child self and their parents that live within them, for instance.

A Dialogue

A family can only be happy when each member of the family is heard, and once this takes place, they will be able to settle down. Similarly, if one wants to make sure their inner conflict doesn’t sabotage their life; they will need to listen to each part of themselves.

The child part is often described as the ‘inner child’, and this part can have the need to experience instant gratification. Therefore, in order for one to keep going, they will need to delay gratification.

Patience

This is because it is not going to be possible for one to achieve what they want to achieve straightway. During these moments, they will need to tolerate frustration; if they were unable to do this, they wouldn’t be able to keep going.

When it comes to achieving something significant, one will need to be patient and to stay focused on what matters. This is something that is going to take a lot of inner-strength.

Support

This doesn’t mean that one will do everything by themselves, as they are likely to be times when they will need the support of others. Human beings are interdependent, and this means they are not their own island.

Being around people who are supportive will regulate their system and give them the encouragement they need to keep going. When one reaches out for support, it doesn’t mean they are weak; it simply means that they are comfortable enough to reach out for the support that they need.

Time

If one has the ability to keep going, it could be said that it will only be a matter of time before they get what they want. For one thing, they are not sitting back and expecting things to ‘just happen’; they are taking life by the horns, so to speak.

Based on this, there should be no reason why one won’t get what the wont. If they don’t, then perhaps they just need to keep going, and soon enough, their life will change.

Out of Balance

However, while it is clear that willpower has an important part to play when it comes to one getting what they want; it is not the only part. On one side, one has the ability to do, and on the other side, they have the ability to be.

This comes down to the fact that one is a human being and not a human doing, and this means that there are times when one needs to let go and to take their foot of the gas, so to speak. It is easy to get the impression that one is taking action and working towards their goals, or they are sitting around doing nothing and not moving forward.

Detachment

Yet, just because one is not going anything, it doesn’t mean they are not moving forward, and this comes down to the fact that using force is not the only way for one to achieve something. Also, the more one wants something and the more energy they put into getting it, the harder it can be for them to attain it.

The universe will mirror where they are coming from, and this means that while one will need to keep going, they will also need to be able to let go. Through being able to let go as opposed to being completely focused on what they want, they will allow themselves to work with life and not against it, and this can then allow their life to flow.

Out of Touch

And even though one is completely focused on attaining something, it doesn’t mean that they have taken the time to look into why they want to attain it. As a result of this, it can then cause them go against their true needs, and it can then make it even harder for them to achieve what they want to achieve.

If they are unable to achieve something, they can end up believing that they need to keep going, and while this could be the case, it could be a sign that they need to take a step back and to reflect on what matters to them. This can then allow them to get in touch with their real needs and it can stop them from burning themselves out in the process, and through being in touch with themselves, their life could end up being easier. 

Awareness

In this sense, it would be inaccurate to say that willpower is the only thing that one needs to have in order to get what they want. It has a key part to play, but it is also going to be important for one to be able to take a step back.

While the masculine approach of taking action has been emphasised in the west, the feminine approach of letting go is often overlooked. Each side is important, and this means that one is going to make their life a lot harder if they can only operate from one side of the spectrum.

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Oliver JR Cooper
http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/