Self-control is our capacity to exert control over our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This obviously relates to all aspects of our lives: job performance, diet, exercise, relationships, parenting, etc…
Early theory on this topic has seeped to our cultural view. It held that there was a limited amount of self-control energy available at any given time. This fits with observations of self-control failures after people exert themselves, so it seemed as if this was self-evident. However, while failures after prolonged exertion are observable they don’t happen 100% of the time. So, clearly, we’ve been missing something.
Newer research on this topic breaks the concept into state and trait-based self-control. State based self-control is consistent with the above description. It’s something you do at a given moment for an amount of time. Trait based self-control has to do with your personal disposition towards self-control. Do you personally have more or less of it? And, the answer to this is related to your beliefs about self-control. Studies show that if you believe you have an unlimited capacity for self-control you will exert more of it, even after periods of prolonged physical and/or mental exertion.
Application:
Ask yourself – What do you think about your own self control?
Do you say I’m done / wiped out / spent and then give yourself permission to be irritable or self-indulgent? If you do, catch yourself and remember that you can have all of the self-control that you choose to have. That doesn’t mean that you should never give in to splurge on a cheese-burger and fries or a rage episode at the driver in front of you, just know that it’s a choice. You can choose to give yourself a break, or you can decide that the second order effects will cost too much. If the costs are too high, pull on the fact that you have an unlimited reserve of self-control and feel the power of choice.
As always, feel free to ask questions or leave comments. Also, if you want to see more post like this, make sure to sign up for The BrierPatch Blog or like us on Facebook.
Onward and Upward,
Deanna Beech, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
The Brier Patch
References:
Hagger, M. S., Gucciardi, D. F., Turrell, A. S., & Hamilton, K. (2019). Self-control and health-related behaviour: The role of implicit self-control, trait self-control, and lay beliefs in self-control. British Journal of Health Psychology, 24(4), 764–786. https://doi-org.eztncc.vccs.edu/10.1111/bjhp.12378
Hofmann, W., Luhmann, M., Fisher, R. R., Vohs, K. D., & Baumeister, R. F. (2014). Yes, But Are They Happy? Effects of Trait Self-Control on Affective Well-Being and Life Satisfaction. Journal of Personality, 82(4), 265–277. https://doi-org.eztncc.vccs.edu/10.1111/jopy.12050
