You Have No Willpower #
April 2nd, 2008 | In Worth Considering
In the “that’s a convoluted way to find the good in a recession” category, I submit this Op-Ed about willpower.
The brain has a limited capacity for self-regulation, so exerting willpower in one area often leads to backsliding in others. The good news, however, is that practice increases willpower capacity, so that in the long run, buying less now may improve our ability to achieve future goals — like losing those 10 pounds we gained when we weren’t out shopping.
Translation: You’ll get fat during the recession, but afterwards dieting will be easier.