What is willpower, how is it manifested and how to develop it?

Each person periodically has to abstain from something, achieving his goals through overcoming difficulties. Achieving the desired result is possible with the expenditure of certain volitional efforts and actions, which are determined by an objective indicator of the willpower of the individual. Let's take a closer look at what willpower is, how it manifests itself and how to develop it.

A strong will plus a strong character helps a person to achieve great achievements in life, build a career. Emotional intelligence also means a lot for successful advancement in various fields of activity. Overcoming obstacles is usually motivated. It is taken from the benefit established by reason.

In psychology, there is a definition: Willpower is the ability of an individual to carry out conscious actions associated with overcoming internal obstacles in order to achieve the intended goal. This concept is closely related to the objective indicator of the will of the individual. How much the individual does not allow impulsive movements and copes with difficulties arising in the form of temptations and temptations.

Internal obstacles are associated with the unwillingness of the individual to make any necessary movements. Laziness, passivity, bad mood, a sense of fear can serve as a hindrance.

Physiology classifies willpower as voluntary action... The front part of the cerebral cortex is responsible for movement, the posterior lobe for direct communication with the outside world. Both lobes are composed of the cortical tips of the analyzers. External stimuli that enter there trigger a complex system of motor areas of the frontal lobe. The second signaling system performs the regulating function of willpower.

An important role is played by speech signals expressed by verbal instructions of the inner speech of the person himself or coming from others. The left lobe of the anterior part of the cortex controls the "I will" aspect of volitional action, the right "I will not," the lower region, "I want." Together, these zones provide self-control and self-awareness of a person, in other words, are responsible for volitional actions.

Both qualities are inherent in a strong personality. But there are differences, because not all strong-willed people have fortitude, and spiritually strong individuals have good willpower. A strong-willed person who does not have fortitude can turn into a tyrant. Willpower means making a conscious effort on oneself on the path to external achievements.

The strength of the spirit is determined by the inner core of the individual. A spiritually strong person always follows his moral and ethical guidelines. She does not tolerate humiliation of others.

Any person is able to control their intentions. In the absence of a conscious desire to achieve the realization of his own dream, the individual does not perform the necessary actions... A weak will prevents him from reaching his goal. A weak-willed person lacks firmness in bringing the decision to the desired result.

The average cost of volitional actions can be expressed by the ability to give up at some point and show incredible efforts in equal measure. A strong, unbending, "iron" will is observed in a fantastically strong personality who has a huge, inexhaustible inner energy, which she directs to achieve a great goal. Good will helps a person to achieve the desired outcome.

Volitional processes implement 3 main functions.

• Incentive. A person can begin a conscious movement towards the intended goal, making efforts to overcome obstacles. This variety is also called the initiating will.
• Stabilizing. A person shows diligence to maintain vigorous activity at the required level in the face of internal and external obstacles encountered.
• Brake. Achievement of the set goal may be associated with the limitation of some stronger desires, which are an obstacle to its implementation.

Volitional actions of a person are reflected in his behavior and character. They manifest themselves in moments of struggle with temptations and obstacles that have arisen. Whether a person has a good will can be understood by some of his actions.

For example, to move up the career ladder, an employee needs to prepare a package of documents. There are 3 motives: obtaining additional knowledge, increasing wages and prestige. Under their influence, a goal is formed - to make high-quality documentation. The execution of volitional actions depends on the subject himself. A decision that has not always been made can be implemented.

A strong-willed person has many problems solved, because he is not distracted by various little things. He keeps all promises made to himself in time.

The volitional qualities of a person contribute to the mobilization of his internal reserves and retention from unwanted actions. The chosen method of achieving the goal and the effort expended are of no small importance. The desires of a person form his aspirations, while everything superfluous and unnecessary is cut off.Self-confidence helps transform desires into goals.

The formation of volitional qualities is inextricably linked with the character and intelligence of the individual. It depends on the beliefs, worldview of the individual.

• Purposefulness lies in the willingness and determination to systematically implement a sustainable life goal. The active activity of the individual is deliberately directed towards obtaining a specific result.
• Independence expressed in submission to their own views and beliefs. But this does not mean that an independent person rejects someone else's opinion. He listens to him, evaluates, but ultimately makes his own decision.
• Determination implies a timely transition to the implementation of decisions made without unnecessary delays. This quality manifests itself especially clearly with the existing choice of measures in a difficult situation. Any wrong decision comes with a lot of risk. In some cases, you need to quickly navigate and immediately take a reasonable action.
• Persistence is a necessary quality for successful study and work. A persistent person never stops on the way to achieving a goal, does not give up at the slightest failure. He makes an effort to solve problems.
• Endurance (patience, composure) involves maintaining a cool head in the most difficult situations. A patient person is able to endure any hardships and pain. He can, if necessary, endure hunger, thirst, refuse to rest.
• Courage gives impetus to the fulfillment of desires... It is associated with a person's willingness to go through suffering, adversity. A brave person, if necessary, is able to overcome the fear of the loss of his own well-being, health and even life.
• Courage differs from courage in the manifestation of courage and composure in an extreme situation, even in the presence of mortal danger. Courageous individuals have great endurance and perseverance. They are able to gather their will into a fist and step towards death for the sake of saving another person.
• Discipline associated with the conscious implementation of the established regime and daily routine, compliance with certain rules. It is easier for a disciplined person to overcome the most varied obstacles on the way to achieving the goal.

It is no coincidence that V.G.Belinsky considered this property one of the main signs of genius. The ability of an individual to make an effort on himself and force himself to sacrifice temporary pleasure gives him the opportunity to achieve great success in business. Entrepreneurs are capable of mobilizing their internal reserves and self-control. The level of willpower cannot be measured, it is impossible to compare how developed it is in different people. All proposed tests for its measurement are approximate.

In the life of every person there are times when the mind and body come into conflict with each other. A person understands that smoking leads to lung cancer, but still succumbs to momentary weakness and lights up again. Quitting a cigarette for the sake of maintaining health is possible only when resisting the addiction. Well-developed willpower allows the mind to gain the upper hand over the lower desires of the body. The weaker the will, the more difficult it is to resist the passions.

Good volitional qualities play an important role in achieving success in study, work, effective solution of everyday problems. They are necessary so that a person can build high-quality romantic relationships, resolve conflict situations.

Even the most weak-willed person is able to develop and strengthen willpower. He can stop indulging his weaknesses and desires through systematic training. The formation of the ability to volitional actions should be characterized by constancy and regularity.

Self-discipline builds character. You can start its development with morning exercises, with the rules established for yourself. Effort trains perseverance and improves health. In these cases, motivation and self-discipline are important. It is possible to gain control over your desires.

The development of volitional qualities is sometimes compared to muscle training, since the brain, by analogy with the muscles of a person, can enhance the ability in the right direction. Just as regular exercise strengthens a muscle and promotes its growth, so willpower is trained by daily work to eradicate the desire to be led by your own lusts.

Sometimes they use a very harsh method of temptating oneself with temptations. For example, if she wants to become slim, a girl puts juicy pasties on the table, looks at them, inhales an appetizing aroma, but does not touch the product. This barbaric method is an effective means of developing will. The alcoholic pours the contents of the bottle into the toilet with his own hand, and the avid smoker, having crumpled up a pack of cigarettes, throws it into the trash bin.

Helping some people quit smoking switching attention... For example, a strong urge to pick up a cigarette is suppressed by switching thoughts to other reasoning. You can find a statement phrase that makes you feel like a non-smoker: "I am the master of my healthy lifestyle." Affirmations can be written on a piece of paper. If necessary, they are spoken loudly and clearly.

Experts recommend using several effective techniques to form willpower.

• Stick to a set daily routine. Start by getting up early, which gives you extra time to develop yourself or do useful things. With a shift in awakening an hour earlier, you need to overcome another temptation - to lie down longer in bed.
• Get busy planning... Compliance with the planned actions in a strict sequence helps to get rid of one-time unnecessary desires. Plan to read useful books, study a foreign language, and other interesting activities. Check your progress once a week.
• Bring the work you started to the end... Sometimes it is tempting to stop doing something because of the desire to switch to another, more interesting job. It is necessary to show volitional efforts in the process of performing daily duties.
• Always keep your word to someone... Such an act is reflected in the trust of others, and the improvement of social status. A fulfilled word is sometimes associated with overcoming laziness or indecision, an attempt to force oneself to perform the desired action.
• Get rid of guilt in time. Some people self-flagellate themselves for any candy they eat. They reproach themselves for their incontinence. In fact, the feeling of guilt causes stress, spoils the mood, thereby complicating an already difficult situation.
• Sign up for the sports section... A physically weak person loses self-control faster. Playing sports fosters willpower, develops the ability to cope with difficulties, fosters determination, courage, builds character and strengthens the spirit.
• Give up addictions. Excessive alcohol consumption, gambling addiction, overeating, smoking, drugs have a negative effect on health. Struggle with passions requires great volitional efforts from the individual. First, you should limit yourself, and then completely abandon bad addictions.