User:Kgashok/Willpower paradox

The willpower as a paradox refers to the phenomenon where willfulness may not be the most important trait for causing lasting change. According to research conducted by Dolores Albarracin, Ibrahim Senay and Kenji Noguchi, self-talk and maintaining a questioning mind are two key findings that were more likely to help accomplish goals. This phenomenon is reminiscent of Marsha Linehan's Dialectical Behavior Therapy and developing Radical Acceptance. She talks about "over-willfulness" and how it can be equated with "self will run riot". In order to move from this mental space to Radical Acceptance she advocates turning the mind and allowing willingness to happen, similar to asking "Will I?" Only after allowing willingness can radical acceptance be achieved, causing more permanent change.

In his article, Michael J. Taleff writes "Willpower in our field is a paradox". Addiction affected patients are told that willfulness is less effective than willingness. He also suggests Vohs and Baumeister (2009) as a starting point to further delve deeper into this.

Liz Danzico also makes reference to similar research work which concludes that setting your mind on a goal may actually be counterproductive.

In his book, economist John Kay makes a similar paradoxical point that a broader, more open-minded approach was more successful than a narrow, more concentrated approach, especially when it comes to overcoming geographic obstacles, winning decisive battles or meeting global business targets.