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Published Mar 26, 2018

21: Benjamin Hardy | What to Do When Willpower Doesn't Work

Benjamin Hardy delves into the challenges of relying solely on willpower, advocating for behavior and environmental changes to reshape identity and achieve success. He highlights the power of external pressures and stable routines to drive productivity and personal growth.
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  • Forcing Functions

    Benjamin Hardy emphasizes the power of creating forcing functions to drive productivity and behavior change. He explains how external pressures, like public commitments or financial investments, can compel individuals to follow through on their goals. For instance, Hardy shares how Michael Jordan's trash-talking was a strategy to create pressure on himself to perform better 1. He also discusses how setting self-imposed deadlines can enhance focus and productivity, as seen in the practices of successful entrepreneurs 2.

    You get immediate feedback, that there's some form of external pressure that's moving you forward.

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    These strategies help reduce reliance on willpower, making it easier to maintain consistent performance.

       

    Self-Investment

    Investing in oneself is another key theme Hardy explores, highlighting how financial and personal stakes can drive commitment. He shares his own journey of becoming a writer, which began with purchasing a domain name and investing in a blogging course 3. Hardy and Jordan Harbinger discuss the fine line between genuine investment and manipulative marketing tactics, emphasizing the importance of readiness and genuine commitment 4.

    At some point, if there's going to actually become a real thing, you've got to start investing yourself in it.

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    This investment creates a point of no return, increasing one's dedication to their goals.

       

    Routine & Stability

    Hardy also underscores the importance of routine and stability in fostering positive behavior and reducing stress. He shares how creating a stable environment for his foster children, including regular sleep schedules and healthy routines, significantly improved their well-being 5. Additionally, Hardy explains the concept of eustress, or beneficial stress, which can be harnessed to enhance performance when balanced with adequate rest 6.

    High stress is if constructed properly, actually good for us.

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    By designing environments that support both high performance and recovery, individuals can achieve sustainable success.

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