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  • Willpower Doesn't Work

  • Written by: Benjamin Hardy
  • Narrated by: Benjamin Hardy
  • Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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Willpower Doesn't Work cover art

Willpower Doesn't Work

Written by: Benjamin Hardy
Narrated by: Benjamin Hardy
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Publisher's Summary

We rely on willpower to create change in our lives...but what if we're thinking about it all wrong? In Willpower Doesn't Work, Benjamin Hardy explains that willpower is nothing more than a dangerous fad—one that is bound to lead to failure. Instead of "white-knuckling" your way to change, you need to instead alter your surroundings to support your goals. This book shows you how.

The world around us is fast-paced, confusing, and full of distractions. It's easy to lose focus on what you want to achieve, and your willpower won't last long if your environment is in conflict with your goals—eventually the environment will win out. Willpower Doesn't Work is the needed guide for today's overstimulating and addicting environment. Willpower Doesn't Work will specifically teach you:

  • How to make the biggest decisions of your life—and why those decisions must be made in specific settings
  • How to create a daily "sacred" environment to live your life with intention and not get sucked into the cultural addictions
  • How to invest big in yourself to upgrade your environment and mind-set
  • How to put "forcing functions" in your life—so your default behaviors are precisely what you want them to be
  • How to quickly put yourself in proximity to the most successful people in the world—and how to adapt their knowledge and skills to yourself even quicker
  • How to create an environment where endless creativity and boundless productivity is the norm

Benjamin Hardy will show you that nurture is far more powerful than your nature and teach you how to create and control your environment so your environment will not create and control you.

©2018 Benjamin Hardy (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"If you want to get more done, don't worry about willpower—focus on motivation. Challenging the dominant view of self-control as a muscle. Benjamin Hardy reveals that productivity is really about clarity and commitment."—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take

"Benjamin Hardy is one of the leading voices on well-being and productivity. Willpower Doesn't Work is an insightful guide to help us thrive in today's world."—Arianna Huffington

"Change your environment, change your life. Ben Hardy's book is a prescription for excellence and contains the hidden keys to success."—Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way

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What listeners say about Willpower Doesn't Work

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Title is a little misleading but overall good book

I think it's more accurate to say this will improve your use of willpower not that it's the way to NOT have to use willpower. For example it is OBVIOUSLY easier on your willpower to not have junk food in the house if you are trying to be healthy but you need willpower to not walk to the corner store 5 mins away and get a bag of chips or use Uber eats to get a pizza. This book puts you in the best position to follow through on the right action but most people WILL still need willpower, these are just great strategies to make it easier.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hard Hitting New Stance on Personal Transformation

This book is packed with research-backed self help for modern high-performers. It goes against the grain and takes a totally new stance with regard to personal transformation focusing on environmental control over personal willpower control. There's a good chance you'll read it cover to cover. The advice contained is powerful because a lot of it is painful to hear - and therefore likely what is needed to spark meaningful transformation.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of my favourite Audibles

Over all amazing content, well spoken. Will use all of this in the future. Great book.!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring and practical

I've listened to this amazing book several times and I know I'll go back to it again. I love all the practical, life changing exercises.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • AJ
  • 2021-01-01

One of the best self development books

I've read many self development books, enrolled in different courses and conferences, this book has covered in a very realistic way a wide spectrum of self development and growth aspects. This book has raised my awareness of the impact of environment and why I am facing difficulties moving towards my goals. A must read / listen!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

it's okay

say: "over-pronunciation," but over-pronunciate it.

That is my knock on his performance. There's a couple useful strategies though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this!

This book helped me become more intentional in my day to day. I am more mindful, decisive and effective. Thank you, Benjamin Hardy, for taking the time to write your Medium articles and this book, I've gained new perspectives to help me live a better life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of tge best

I've read hundreds of books about personal growth and achievement. This is one of the most realistic I've read and slso that corresponds to my personal needs.
I have ADD and in certain periods of my life when I was in the right environnement it was not a hindrance but a strength. Even though I was already applying some of the principles in this book, it makes sense of my own experience and will very likely help me to move beyond my previous expectations.
About the performance I would have chosen another voice, but that's OK

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Puts in to words what challenges people face

Great practical advice that really helped me in my Masters thesis writing while balancing work, fitness and home life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

loved the book and would highly recommend!

it's the best book ever. so inspiring!! no matter where you pick up in the book...you are left charged up to elevate yourself to a higher self.

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