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Is high motivation enough to eat healthier or more ecologically? Mostly not. For a study of the University of Applied Sciences in Zurich, people were accompanied who said that they had a firm intention to eat more sustainably and consume less meat from now on.
But a particularly high level of motivation alone did not lead to a change in behavior. Only when the participants purposefully formulated their intentions, consciously focusing on them, implementing them and also keeping an eye on the obstacles did something change - the participants really ate less meat than before.
This example shows that motivation is often overestimated. Who wants to implement goals, needs something completely different: willpower. "We do not use our willpower properly, often do not even have on the slip that you absolutely need it, if you want to realize plans," says Hans-Georg Willmann, a psychologist and coach from Freiburg. The problem: Willpower is a limited resource that fizzles out quickly if you steer it towards too many goals at the same time. Many people do not know how we can handle our willpower, how we can tap into it, how we can cultivate and train it. "But all that is easy to learn," says Willmann.
Together with SPIEGEL WISSEN and the SPIEGEL, the psychologist has developed a coaching with which you can strengthen your willpower. For example, simple, hands-on exercises can help you focus more on your goals, develop endurance, and get yourself in an optimistic mood.
You are interested in participating in the willpower coaching? The tasks will be sent by e-mail on Fridays. Here you can register for the free training.
For each issue, SPIEGEL WISSEN offers a practical, easy-to-use daily online coaching suitable for their particular issue. During this time, you will always receive a tutorial by e-mail on Fridays that can help you make your life better. Order the newsletter here:
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