Petko Bossakov's Reviews > The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

A self-help book based on actual science and not on made-up BS. Cool!

I was only a bit peeved at the extreme interpretation that the author and the scientists cited by her give to food-related decisions.

Now, I understand why the book is mostly fixated on food and dieting. That's a good, neutral example that involves willpower, and it's indeed a challenge for many people.

But representing each and every food choice as the result of some sort of a struggle between the angel and the devil on your shoulder? That's a bit over the top.

They say if I choose to eat salad, then I must have strong willpower. (What if I actually love salad? I happen to think it goes exceptionally well with a couple of rakia shots!) If I have some chocolate, it must be a moment of weakness. (What if I am consciously and logically convinced that it's perfectly fine and healthy to eat high-energy food every now and then?)

Apart from that, the book is good and useful. It gives you a number of new tricks to try when you need to control a craving or when you need to kick your laziness in the butt.