Willpower, self-discipline and self-control are abilities that help us achieve our goals.
What is Willpower?
Willpower is the ability to resist short-term temptations or impulses in order to achieve a long-term abstinence.
According to most psychological scientists, willpower can be defined as: The ability to delay gratification, resisting short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals. The capacity to override an unwanted thought, feeling, or impulse.
For example, if your goal is to quit smoking, willpower would involve resisting the urge to smoke when you are around others who are smoking or when you are feeling stressed.
What Is Self-discipline?
Self-discipline is the ability to control your actions and behavior in order to achieve total abstinence in recovery.
Self-discipline involves making a conscious decision to follow a plan or routine, even if it is difficult or unpleasant.
Self-discipline is the ability to direct your energy into something even when you are not feeling motivated.
For example, if your goal is to lose weight, self-discipline would involve sticking to a healthy diet and exercise plan, even when you don’t feel like it.
What is Self-control?
Self-control is the ability to control emotions, impulses and behaviors to achieve total abstinence in recovery.
Self-control is the war between impulsivity and doing what is right or beneficial.
Self-control is the ability to act in a directed manner despite motivation to do otherwise.
People who lack self-control often give in to impulsive behavior and emotions. They may make poor choices that harm themselves or others or react poorly when they don’t get what they want.
For example
Impulse control is being able to stop and think before acting. Impulse control allows a person to think through consequences before doing something.
Emotional control is the ability to manage feelings. The person can cope with a minor disappointment or criticism and move on with life. They don’t get distracted or overwhelmed by their feelings. A person who struggles with emotional control might find it hard to get past something upsetting. They overreact, and their bad moods may last a long time.
Movement control helps a person keep still when they need to. Having movement control makes it much easier to do what is asked of them, like waiting in line or be still.