3671: Sheer Willpower Won’t Work. If You Want to Change Your Habits, Try This Instead. by Paula Pant of Afford Anything

2025-07-18

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3671: Paula Pant challenges the myth that willpower is the key to success, revealing how environment, systems, and identity play a far greater role in shaping our behavior. By understanding the limits of willpower, listeners gain tools to design a life where success becomes automatic, not forced. Read along with the original article(s) here:...

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 3671:

Paula Pant challenges the myth that willpower is the key to success, revealing how environment, systems, and identity play a far greater role in shaping our behavior. By understanding the limits of willpower, listeners gain tools to design a life where success becomes automatic, not forced.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/willpower-is-not-enough/

Quotes to ponder:

"Willpower is like a muscle, it fatigues with overuse."

"Don’t rely on self-control alone. Design your environment so the default choices are the right ones."

"Your identity shapes your habits. And your habits reinforce your identity."

Episode references:

The Power of Habit: https://charlesduhigg.com/the-power-of-habit/

Switch: https://heathbrothers.com/books/switch/

Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength: https://www.amazon.com/Willpower-Rediscovering-Greatest-Human-Strength/dp/0143122231

Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

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