Willpower is not enough, you need leverage
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What do scissors, seesaws and the
oars on a boat have in common? They are examples of a lever. As you will see, leverage can catapult you over the walls of your limited willpower.
A simple but powerful technology invented 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Levers can amplify an input force to provide a greater output force.
"Give me a place to stand, a lever long enough and I shall move the world" - Archimedes
Physical levers give us a mechanical advantage, but there are ways of approaching your life that can provide a similar benefit.
Trying to do something consistently with willpower is like lifting a boulder yourself. Creating a system or habit is using a lever.
The biggest lie we tell ourselves is: “I will try better next time”. Most people default to this approach because it’s easy. You get to instantly excuse yourself. But it relies on sheer willpower and is ineffective.
A more powerful approach is to say “let me see what system I can devise to make this easier going forward”. Its harder in the moment because it requires a bit of upfront analysis. But it pays off in the long run.
I relied on willpower for years. Life was a constant battle. Now I use leverage. I intentionally craft my environment and focus on rhythm. Routines and habits take center stage. These levers help me overcome the limits of my feeble willpower.
"Give me a place to stand, a lever long enough and I shall move the world" - Archimedes
Physical levers give us a mechanical advantage, but there are ways of approaching your life that can provide a similar benefit.
Trying to do something consistently with willpower is like lifting a boulder yourself. Creating a system or habit is using a lever.
The biggest lie we tell ourselves is: “I will try better next time”. Most people default to this approach because it’s easy. You get to instantly excuse yourself. But it relies on sheer willpower and is ineffective.
A more powerful approach is to say “let me see what system I can devise to make this easier going forward”. Its harder in the moment because it requires a bit of upfront analysis. But it pays off in the long run.
I relied on willpower for years. Life was a constant battle. Now I use leverage. I intentionally craft my environment and focus on rhythm. Routines and habits take center stage. These levers help me overcome the limits of my feeble willpower.