Do you rely on willpower to achieve your goals or change habits? Willpower is often widely considered as the differentiator between those who succeed and those who do not. But is it a fair judgment?
When I ask people for words they associate with willpower, I hear words such as grit, stamina, the ability to stick it out or do something that you really don't want to do.
It is what we use to push through something hard or overcome resistance so we can achieve a virtuous outcome.
It takes willpower to not spend money when you want to. You need willpower to stay at home when friends are out socialising or not purchase something you want but do not need.
But what if your lack of willpower is telling you something about what you are pushing yourself to do? If you need a significant amount of willpower to push through, is it really the right thing for you?
Willpower and achieving goals go hand in hand. January is a notorious time for making lofty goals to change, including our money habits. And February is notorious for failing those goals.
Year after year, research tells us that few will achieve their New Year resolutions. Eighty per cent of New Year resolutions fail by February, according to US News and World Report. Only 8 per cent of people achieve their resolutions and 25 per cent give up after only a week, 2015 research from the University of Scranton reveals.
It could be a demotivating read to come across these statistics when your willpower is waning.
Financial goals should bring joy to our lives. Isn’t saving for an early retirement an exciting thing?
Carol Glynn,
founder, Conscious Finance Coaching
Many people also cite a lack of willpower as the cause of failure to achieve their financial goals.
Financial goals tend to be long-term, restrictive and are perceived to require major lifestyle cutbacks. I am told that to succeed, joy, fun and indulgence must be removed from our lives.
I disagree. Financial goals should bring joy to our lives. Isn’t saving for an early retirement an exciting thing? Isn’t paying down debt and having a date in sight for when you will be debt-free a joyous goal? How exciting it is to save to purchase your own home.
People who are most successful in achieving financial goals are those who set targets that are steeped in their values and meaningful to them. When you set goals that are underpinned by your values, do you need the same level of willpower to achieve them?
If your goals are what you actually want to achieve, not what you believe you should do based on what society tells you or what other people are doing, how hard is it to do the work required to achieve them?
Major change, even when steeped in our values, may still require an element of willpower. But I wonder if what gets us through is willpower? There is another way to approach this.
Common financial habits people want to change are impulse buying and mindless spending so they can instead save more or pay off debt. I hear how they lack the willpower to stop spending online when they feel sad or bored.
Willpower alone will not break the habit. It can be complex but for most, having a reason to break the habit plus a replacement habit they can action, which provides the same adrenalin hit, requires less willpower than simply not doing it.
Replace the pleasure you derive from shopping with something more financially positive. Instead of making the purchase, transfer the amount you were tempted to spend to your savings account or make a debt payment.
Take an alternative action that will make you feel good or proud. You may still have the adrenalin rush or sense of satisfaction but with added financial benefits.
Break down long-term financial goals into smaller milestones and celebrate achieving the milestones with rewards. If your goal has lost its lustre, switch things up.
Reset goals, realign them or add milestones to make them feel more achievable so that you can have fun along the way. Variety and flexibility are key to life and can keep you from burning out.
Find an accountability partner. Did you know that having an accountability appointment increases your chance of success to 95 per cent versus only a 10 per cent when you simply set a goal?
So, when you find yourself digging into willpower to power through your financial goals, ask yourself, what is this resistance telling me?
Carol Glynn is the founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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