1. 5 THINGS
YOU NEED TO
KNOW
ABOUT BRAIN
TO IMPROVE
YOUR
WILLPOWER

2. “I think. So I can
change who I am.”
Walter Mischel

3. The brain is such a powerful tool.

4. It can help us obtain amazing achievements.

5. These achievements are possible thanks to two
contributors:
The brain’s
elasticity(*)
(*) See my previous presentation on this topic.
Willpower

6. This slideshow will
explain what
willpower is and
how to improve it.

7. If we go backwards towards the beginning of evolution…

8. We will find a long period of time where humans were not safe.

9. Our brain has developed strategies to satisfy the primary needs of
any living species :
Surviving Reproducing

10. These
strategies are
still coded in
our brains.
They are
attributes of
the human
species.

11. Let’s call the part of our brain that manages these instinctual
behaviors to satisfy primary needs, the warm brain.

12. Humans have developed unique skills such as anticipated planning
and reasoned decision making.

13. Let’s call the part of our brain that manages the analytical and
cognitive capabilities, the cold brain.

14. Both brains interact and are useful to every human.

15. The warm brain will select chocolate, as
it will procure more sugar, thus
producing more energy to survive.
The cold brain will select the apple, as it
is healthier for long term survival and
there is no immediate danger of
starvation.

16. In the case of immediate danger, the warm brain will take the lead
for the safety of the human.

17. The willpower is the ability of our cold brain to control the impulses
of our warm brain.

18. Knowing that
willpower is a
standard cognitive
capability, we can
deduce several of
its characteristics.

19. First, just like with cognitive capacities, willpower depends on our
genetic patrimony.

20. Thus, all of us have different levels of willpower.

21. But,

22. We all have the same capability to transform and improve our own
willpower.

23. Secondly, instinctual behaviors are different depending on the
context and domain (thus, the strategy to control them too).

24. It means that some people have good willpower in some domains and
others, bad. Willpower is not a global or constant quality in people.

25. Cognitive activities consume energy. The more control used to
manage impulsion, the more energy that is consumed.

26. Thus, don’t use your willpower for too many things. You must allow your
brain to rest after intense use of willpower.

27. Summary- 4 Things to Know:
We have different
susceptibility towards
willpower.
We have the same
capability to improve our
willpower.
There is no one willpower but
different willpowers depending on
the kind of impulse to control.
Willpower
consumes energy.

28. “Ok, but how can I
improve my
willpower ?”

29. Remember, there is no “one willpower” but several
willpowers.

30. Just like any other cognitive activities, willpower is a
network of activated neurons.

31. The network of activated neurons can be
changed through experiences. It is the elasticity
of the brain.

32. The more the network of neurons are activated, the less it
requires resources to be activated.
When we use a strategy to control a
certain impulse for the first time, it
requires a lot of energy.
Then, when you have made a habit of
this behavior, it doesn’t require as much
intense energy.

33. So, if you want to improve your willpower for a particular behavior,
you should:
Identify the stimulus activating your
instinctual answers coming from the
warm brain.
Propose an alternative behavior to this
stimulus.
Make it a habit by repeating the
alternative behavior.

35. If you want to
discover more about
willpower, I strongly
recommend this
book:

36. Thank you !!!
Follow me on twitter : @SebastienJuras
Credit : photos – 123rf.com
Discover the successful stories about brain on my website:
sebastienjuras.net/my-stories/