Motivation booster

At the start of a new exercise regimen, try cheering yourself on with a mantra like, “I’m self-disciplined, and I’ve got this!” In a study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, researchers analyzed the behavior of more than

600 participants as they tackled challenges requiring self-control. What they discovered: Successful folks weren’t necessarily more self-disciplined than their peers—they just thought they were. The study authors explain that longing for greater self-control erodes confidence, making everything feel harder, whereas believing you have willpower translates to more disciplined action.