Top Books to Boost Your Willpower and Transform Your Life

Motivation, procrastination, perfectionism, efficiency, time management—the list of words that make us feel inadequate in the realm of self-improvement is endless. Most of us struggle with these concepts not because we lack time, abilities, or character traits, but because our fears and underdeveloped willpower hold us back. It’s challenging to push ourselves to work at full capacity and learn new things when our willpower is barely enough to resist late-night sweets. The key to success is simple: develop your willpower, and the rest will follow. Here are some insightful books by business psychologists and training authors to help you on this journey.

‘This Year I Will…’ by M.J. Ryan

M.J. Ryan, a renowned American business coach, has become almost a household name. Known only by her initials, M.J. has long practiced ‘training’ businessmen and women who struggle to keep their promises to themselves. Through examples of her clients, acquaintances, and family members, M.J. shares how to overcome the most serious obstacles that stand in the way of positive life changes. Many of her tips focus on developing willpower, as its absence is often what prevents her clients from growing.

‘The Marshmallow Test’ by Walter Mischel

Psychologist Walter Mischel gained worldwide fame for creating the famous marshmallow test for children, a study on self-control. The test offers children a choice between eating one marshmallow immediately or waiting a few minutes to receive two. The results showed that children who could delay gratification were more capable, teachable, and successful. Dr. Mischel’s book offers practical advice on developing self-control and willpower, preparing us to tackle everyday tasks that require focus and determination. He reassures readers that it’s never too late to develop willpower, even if it’s not an innate strength.

‘Hell Week’ by Erik Bertrand Larssen

Norwegian business trainer Erik Bertrand Larssen served in a special forces unit and adapted the ‘Hell Week’ methodology used to train young soldiers. His version of ‘Hell Week’ addresses common problems faced by working individuals: lack of time, fatigue, and struggles with maintaining healthy habits. Larssen’s book details an experiment that, upon completion, helps readers decide whether they can integrate these practices into their lives. Statistics show that most people who complete the tasks adopt many of the habits permanently.

‘Screw It, Let’s Do It’ by Richard Branson

Millionaire Richard Branson shares his success story not to boast but to provide lessons for his readers. Each challenge he faced becomes a lesson in building confidence and willpower. Branson’s personal experiences and emotional descriptions give his book an edge over generic motivational guides. His journey inspires readers to take action and persevere through difficulties.

‘How to Make Decisions Correctly and Quickly’ by Sergey Zmeev

Sergey Zmeev, founder of the Center for Scientific and Practical Psychology and Business Development, created a book series dedicated to personal growth. The first book, ‘How to Make Decisions Correctly and Quickly,’ focuses on willpower and self-motivation as foundational elements of success. Zmeev believes that many people are capable of great things but struggle to take the first step toward change. The key to overcoming this hurdle is the ability to make decisions and follow through on them despite obstacles.

‘SUMO: Shut Up, Move On’ by Paul McGee

Paul McGee knows how to grab attention with his titles. SUMO stands for ‘Shut Up, Move On,’ which doesn’t mean to be rude but rather to stop the noise and worries that distract us. The ‘Shut Up’ part encourages us to pause and plan, while ‘Move On’ is self-explanatory. McGee argues that the main problem is the gap between ‘Shut Up’ and ‘Move On,’ where people often lose motivation and fail to act. His book aims to strengthen willpower to minimize this gap and take action more swiftly.

‘The Willpower Instinct’ by Kelly McGonigal

Dr. Kelly McGonigal, a philosopher and psychologist from Stanford University, believes that everyone struggles with temptations, addictions, distractions, and procrastination. These weaknesses are common and don’t make us failures. Her book, divided into 10 chapters, each introduces a useful habit to adopt over a week. It’s both a philosophical exploration and a practical guide to becoming a stronger, more motivated individual. For further insights, you can explore her work on motivation techniques.