Self-Control Is an Illusion

It’s an emotional problem. Please don’t try to solve it with intellect.

Photo by Mathew MacQuarrie on Unsplash

What are the top three legal addictions in the world? Alcohol, Cigarettes, and prescriptive pain killers top the charts. I am not referring to the addiction to drugs and illegal substances. It’s a problem of a different magnitude.

Will power, discipline, or self-control are the most obvious answers to deal with addictions. Really?

If it was that easy, surgeons, therapists, and psychiatrists would be out of jobs. Soft drinks manufacturers won’t have money to sign million-dollar sponsorship deals with athletes.

Half of the world’s economy is running on addictions, so let’s get something straight. Self-control is an illusion.

What is the problem with Self Control?

Information was never this easily accessible to us. In minutes we can educate ourselves on what should be done over what is done. We know eating healthy is good for our body. We know exercising is essential in living a healthy lifestyle. We know work-life balance is necessary, but our bosses still love workhorses.

The first sign of a chocolate cake will throw all of my knowledge on nutrition in a bin. Instead, I will find every reason why I…