Is willpower a Limited Resource ?

Is willpower a Limited Resource ?

Willpower Is Your Secret Weapon

It defies logic. It defies science. And entrepreneurs worldwide are proof that it can change the world. 

Every day, entrepreneurs restore my faith in humanity. This may sound grandiose, but it is not meant to. Even on the worst news day, when the world seems to be falling into a dark vortex, one call with an entrepreneur can make me feel more upbeat.

“I have this idea, and I can’t stop thinking about it, so I am going for it! Why am I doing this? Ha! Because I believe in this and one day, so will everyone else. You’ll see, it’s going to be great,” is the general theme of these calls.

We hear stories. Lots of stories. Entrepreneurial dreamers tell us stories of new ideas and refresh ways of thinking.    We hear about empowerment and innovation, risk, and reward. Some plans are so far-fetched I am left wondering, How can this possibly work? And some are so clear I pinch my head and ask, Why didn't I think of that?

When I talk to those entrepreneurs who dream big and optimistically (generally against all the odds), I am not only inspired, I am humbled. Infectious optimism is key here, but there is something more to what drives that spirit. It’s something far more erudite than an MBA, a spreadsheet, and a triple latte.

It’s that thing that pushes you to the next level despite setbacks. That grit drives Serena Williams to the next win. It’s what compels Lindsey Voen to race again—even since a shocking horrific injury. It defies logic. It defies science. It is willpower.

Through sheer force of will and the human spirit, entrepreneurs breathe life into impossible ideas—sometimes from seemingly impossible circumstances. That is what drives change and creates opportunity. That is what you do—make the impossible not only possible but also practical and accessible. Few times, in order to pass the endning line, you need to rely not on your skill expertise and training but on your sheer will to do so.

Willpower meaning is like many of the discussion topics we discuss in these pages,  strong willpower is a soft science and is a soft skill. But as author John Robinson points out in his feature story, it can make or crush your ability to be succeed, to create something sustainable to raise capital, make more customers, and have a lasting impact. Willpower is that internal fire that gets you past the naysayers, obstacles and difficulties, challenges, and certain failures. It is your secret weapon. No one can award it to you, and no one can take it away from you. It is yours and yours alone. Use it as you see fit.

As honorable as  strong willpower is, it can be applied to the creation of some indulgent entrepreneurial ventures. In this case, we take a look at vice businesses as reflect through the virtuous mirror of the willpower. We examine the brashness and tenacity of entrepreneurs managing to flourish in the burgeoning yet legally a gray area of cannabis marketing. We underline the discipline and solve necessary to innovate and succeed in the eternally dangerous world of bar ownership. In addition, we look at the delicate dance of mixing business with pleasure while on the road.

It all comes down to drive, which urges us to take risks on our way to triumph, and to have a bit of fun—tempered by a healthy dose of self-control—along the way.   

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