Self-Control

see habit, system

self-control is our capacity to monitor internal conflict --- https://youtu.be/dgRSfhoHE4g. I'll repeat that again: self-control is not a thing; conflict monitoring is self-control. this leads to some interesting conclusions:

• we are in control as long as we are monitoring the conflict. telling ourselves *shrug* oh well before giving in to unhealthy behavior is not the consequence of losing the battle, but rather the cause of losing the battle
• introspection is a necessary condition for self-control. if we are not aware of the conflict, we cannot monitor it. this is why journaling, meditation, habit› tracking and brain reprogramming (see habit› formation) are so powerful
• stress externalizes our attention, which explains why it leads to a lack of self-control. the solution is not to "reduce" stress, but rather to hit the breaks and take the time to reinternalize our awareness
• not having the energy to care about internal conflict leads to a lack of self-control. this is why sleep, exercise and diet are so important

willpower is unpredictable. trying to change behavior through self-control will eventually fail; trying to change behavior through systems and habits has a greater chance of success

note recent research is starting to suggest a relationship between sleep deprivation and reduced willpower --- https://jamesclear.com/willpower. I have observed this in myself, and have found that sleep is a keystone ‹habit of mine