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Willpower Is Not Enough: Why We Don't Succeed at Change
Authors A. Dean Byrd and Mark D. Chamberlain address the topic of self-control, exploring it in the framework of doctrine and counsel from Church leaders and their own professional experiences. The authors have discovered that people who are successful in maintaining self-control rely less on willpower than on what might be called heart-power. Willpower Is Not Enough provides encouragement and guidance to all who wish to harness the motivating power of the heart, express themselves from the heart, and successfully deal with setbacks and overcome obstacles to change.
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 6, 2021
I had trouble with the premise of the author's book. I believe that will power alone, much less with heart and faith is still lacking to face serious problems like addiction, sexual abuse, traumatic experiences, mental illness and other issues that truly require the need of a specialized professional.
That being said, there are some good strategies laid out for basic motivation.
That being said, there are some good strategies laid out for basic motivation.
September 28, 2008
This book is for all of us who do not necessarily agree with the whole "The Secret" philosophy, which basically says that if you don't have riches and fame, or whatever you want, it is because you didn't want it enough. I don't agree- why blame people for their misfortune. Sounds like a rich person made it up so they didn't have to admit that luck has a lot to do with life's ups and downs and they can act like it was all their doing. Anyhoo- this book stresses with LDS gospel principles how to yield our hearts and minds to be more in tune with God and admit that we can not control neither ourselves nor our world completely. I for one am a recovering control addict and like this new approach of setting my sails and taking a nap while the Lord blows me down the river of joy..... whether it is working or not is up for debate.
June 7, 2011
An excellent book, presenting many of the same principles as Switch, with diagrams that show how needs unmet can be redirected to less-healthy "outlets" (or counterfeits). This book also includes links to Latter-Day Saint doctrine and scriptures. They show how our genuine needs are satisfied by good and healthy outlets and frustrated by attempts to deny them. They also show how to use willpower effectively -- as a "transitional tool" while we uncover the needs behind our "temptations." They advocate the unpopular principle that people can CHOOSE their actions. (Two other good resources are Switch (Heath) and the works of Abraham A. Low (Recovery International: LowSelfHelpSystems.org).
July 23, 2010
This is a self-help type of book about making changes in your life. I think it's written for addicts of different kinds, but the ideas are helpful if there's anything in your life, big or small, that you want to change. The authors are LDS, so they talk about using the atonement to help us change. I felt like I got lots of good insights from the book.
April 5, 2009
This is a little book I picked up at the library because the title caught my eye while I was looking for a different book. What a great little find! I was about a quarter of the way through it when I finally had an 'ah-ha moment' and started to digest what the authors were trying to say. They have some profound insights into what makes it hard for us to make positive changes in our lives. I enjoyed the scriptural examples and the stories of people they have worked with.
My biggest complaint with the book is that the font is narrow and the layout of the pages is uninviting. It sounds like a silly complaint, and I've never had this problem before, but it really did make the book seem tedious even while I was interested in the actual message.
My biggest complaint with the book is that the font is narrow and the layout of the pages is uninviting. It sounds like a silly complaint, and I've never had this problem before, but it really did make the book seem tedious even while I was interested in the actual message.
August 27, 2008
Humans are emotional creatures and we don't act like it. In our western culture, we think putting our minds to it will get us anywhere eventually. That is when we forget our hearts and become miserable. It's important to admit our emotions and then find a constructive release for them. Bad habits will only die if we get to the root of the problem and change it there, consequentially replacing the bad habit with good behavior. My brother commented, "It's amazing how much time we waste in indecision." So if we just allow our hearts and minds to work together, over time, we will be able to not only move on with our lives, but enjoy them too, as we were meant to.
March 21, 2012
Reading this book was like opening a window and letting fresh air into a room that had been shut up for a long time. The concepts and insights taught in the book are powerful and lifting. Understanding how we work and what makes us tick is so key to overcoming addictions and self defeating behaviors. Byrd and Chamberlain have really tapped into something powerful. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to make change in their life.
March 25, 2016
I had read another of Mark Chamberlain books and really liked it so I thought I would try this book. The principles apply to any addiction and are easy to follow. I really liked the mind/heart connection. When there is conflict between the two it is considered "double-minded", when there is harmony between the two that is where you get "single-mindedness". I loved the reference to Christ and the Atonement he made on our behalf. It is a quick read.
September 2, 2015
Fantastic read on how to better ourselves ant apply the atonement in our lives. I particularly enjoyed the description and suggestions regarding aligning the desires of the heart and the desires of the mind.
August 2, 2010
Great book. Makes a lot of sense!
August 11, 2015
This book articulated thoughts I have had for many years now and I look forward to applying these concepts in my journeys of change. Wish I had read this years ago!
February 16, 2020
I listened to half of the book and read half of the book. The diagrams that the author included where confusing and unnecessary. Overall I thought the book offered some valuable thoughts on how true and lasting change comes as we harmonize our mind and our heart. Ultimately, we all struggle with something. We are powerless to change on our own. We must turn to the Savior and receive his help.
September 6, 2024
Ok, this book was EXCELLENT! One of the best “you can do better” books that I have ever read, and it seems to be able to span many issues. It is laced with LDS quotes and gospel principles, but nothing I think any open-minded christian would disagree with, and not overly so (except maybe the last chapter). Highly recommend!!
November 4, 2024
This was good, but there wasn't much I hadn't heard at other points. Basically: make God part of your efforts to change; don't just try to get rid of something bad -- replace it with something good; find someone who will help you be accountable. I did think some of the information about how misdirected desires can lead to addictions, etc.
Overall, nice, but not earthshattering.
Overall, nice, but not earthshattering.
March 8, 2024
great book
This book will help anyone understand addiction to a greater degree. This book illustrates the idea that change, although difficult, can take place. If one comes to understand their feelings, they can better use those feelings to improve their lives.
This book will help anyone understand addiction to a greater degree. This book illustrates the idea that change, although difficult, can take place. If one comes to understand their feelings, they can better use those feelings to improve their lives.
September 2, 2019
Some good nuggets of wisdom, but the homophobia was off-putting.
August 3, 2009
This book is an optimistic, solutions-focused guide to creating lasting, meaningful, Christ-centered change. The authors begin with a discussion of Eastern and Western philosophy.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculating and thinking. "Childlikeness" has to be restored with long years of training in the art of self-forgetfulness. When this is attained, man thinks yet he does not think. He thinks like the showers coming down from the sky; he thinks like the waves rolling on the ocean; he thinks like the stars illuminating the nightly heavens; he thinks like the green foliage shooting forth in the relaxing spring breeze. Indeed he is the showers, the ocean, the stars, the foliage" (Eugen Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery).
The authors acknowledge the sometimes warring demands of heart and mind, passions and intellect, self-indulgence and self-denial. And they advocate for self discipline as opposed to self-indulgence or self-denial, for patience with and acceptance of self, for understanding of one's own needs and wants (particularly unmet needs that lead to the downward spiral), and for aligning one's actions with one's long-term goals and with God's will. The book contains references to Tigger, Beauty and the Beast, Victor Frankl, and others. Highly recommended reading for all of us imperfect people.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is: "Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculating and thinking. "Childlikeness" has to be restored with long years of training in the art of self-forgetfulness. When this is attained, man thinks yet he does not think. He thinks like the showers coming down from the sky; he thinks like the waves rolling on the ocean; he thinks like the stars illuminating the nightly heavens; he thinks like the green foliage shooting forth in the relaxing spring breeze. Indeed he is the showers, the ocean, the stars, the foliage" (Eugen Herrigel, Zen in the Art of Archery).
The authors acknowledge the sometimes warring demands of heart and mind, passions and intellect, self-indulgence and self-denial. And they advocate for self discipline as opposed to self-indulgence or self-denial, for patience with and acceptance of self, for understanding of one's own needs and wants (particularly unmet needs that lead to the downward spiral), and for aligning one's actions with one's long-term goals and with God's will. The book contains references to Tigger, Beauty and the Beast, Victor Frankl, and others. Highly recommended reading for all of us imperfect people.
April 30, 2013
There was some good advice in this book. I learned a few things, but it just didn't grab my attention enough to want to finish the book. Maybe I just didn't have the willpower to do so. ;)
November 28, 2016
This is a book for anyone who has dealt with any addiction on any level, personally or helping a friend. The authors approach the topic from an LDS viewpoint.
October 31, 2013
A bit strange if you aren't familiar with the therapy/psychology world.
August 24, 2017
Great ideas on relying on God, finding appropriate ways to fulfill needs, replacing undesired actions and thoughts with positive ones.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews