Willpower and Self-Control: Do You Need to Improve Your Self-Discipline?

Although the famous marshmallow experiment has shown that some people seem to be born with strong willpower, self-control, self-restraint and ability to delay gratification, it doesn’t mean that these qualities cannot be developed. Willpower and self-control work like muscles, the more you exercise it, the stronger they become. But wouldn’t it be nice to know where do you stand in terms of willpower before you begin? The test below will help you find out. As always, you need to answer all the questions for your results to be reliable.

Can you keep your cool when arguing?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Do you stick to your to-do list?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Are you able to complete tedious tasks you don’t enjoy doing even when it’s possible to postpone them?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Can you stick to a diet for a long period of time?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Are you capable of doing something unpleasant such as working overtime on weekends without much internal debate?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

When necessary, are you able to push past your comfort zone despite your fears and discomfort?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Do you believe that you have a capacity to evaluate your own behavior objectively even when the issue at hand is emotionally charged and personal?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Are you able to wake up early on your day off even when it’s unnecessary just because you planned to do so a day earlier?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Do you keep your promises?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

If you did nothing wrong and someone is yelling at you, do you have enough self-control to reply them in a calm manner?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Would you stick to your work plans even when something exciting happens?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Overall, do you choose better long-term results over immediate gratification?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Do you always take a full course of medication prescribed even when you feel healthy before the medication is gone?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

When your job requires you to do something you don’t have experience with, can you easily get over anxiety and just do it?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

Do you despise people who are always late for appointments?
yes
no
sometimes / I don’t know

GET RESULTS

LOW
Your willpower definitely needs a little boost. You tend to take shortcuts and do whatever is easier and quicker at the moment. In addition, you don’t bother yourself with additional responsibilities, which may negatively affect your relationships at work and at home.

MEDIUM
Your willpower is OK! You can and do face challenges and fight for things that matter to you. On the other hand, you tend to use your willpower selectively — whenever there is a more effective way or a neat shortcut, you will definitely use it. While some of your responsibilities may feel like a burden, you still do what’s expected from you. If you want to achieve more in life, try taking on more challenges and more responsibilities instead of avoiding them.

HIGH
Congratulations! You are a strong and reliable person with extraordinary willpower. Unless something beyond your control gets in your way, you set and achieve your goals every single time.