Will Power: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Baumeister and Tierney
Good Morning, God!
A few days ago a friend told me about the article, “Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue?” in the New York Times Sunday Magazine. The article presented research that showed that one can temporarily EXHAUST one’s Decision Making Capacity.
That makes sense to me, God! In fact, I’m feeling like my “decision making cup” is close to empty. Perhaps that is why my piles of papers have not yet been filed or put to their final rest? Hmm.
The article goes on to point out that what we like to think of as Will Power can be thought of as the “muscle” that we use to make decisions. This “mental muscle” consumes energy and is subject to fatigue just like physical muscles. It is also sensitive to our blood sugar level — when it dips we find it harder to make decisions. Sugar gives us a temporary boost. But, a high protein breakfast is a better bet for a more stable supply of glucose to the brain.
The author of the article, John Tierney, was basically writing about Dr. Roy Baumeister’s research. Their joint book, WILLPOWER: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, is coming out September 1st and I am looking forward to reading it. But, the article provided several good ideas. The first is the power of doing something every day. You have pre-decided to do it. The second is to avoid important decisions when hungry. And the third is to creatively structure life so there are fewer decisions to be made.
But, perhaps, God, I’d be best off remember that my Decision Making “Muscle” — like all muscles — gets stronger with exercise. I rather like thinking of “disposing of papers” as building my decision making muscle!
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
Hi
I am pre ordering this one, as well. One thing I have been considering is when we eat at inappropriate times, such as after dinner and not really hungry, how can we channel that to something better for us? In the summer months I have little problem, however in the dead of winter, light deprivation or what have you I think there is this little chemical in my brain that says “eat, save yourself” and so my hunger is ramped up. Yes, I am worrying in advance…but the more strategies the better. Looking forward to your insight, Margie…you are a deep thinker! Hugs, Adriana