Use If-Then Statements to Exert Better Self-Control

Self-control is hard to learn.

Keeping yourself on task, forming a habit, or even just avoiding certain foods sometimes feels impossible.

Over on The New York Times, author Pamela Druckerman suggests using if-then statements to reign things in.

The secret of self-control, he says, is to train the prefrontal cortex to kick in first.

Done repeatedly, this buys a few seconds to at least consider your options.

The point isn’t to be robotic and never eat chocolate mousse again.

It’s to summon self-control when you want it, and be able to carry out long-term plans.

Learning How to Exert Self-Control| The New York Times

Photo byPaul Keller.