Conserve Your Willpower: It Runs Out

Timed to coincide with the Wired Health Conference: Living by Numbers, the Oct 2012 issue of Wired featured "Living by Numbers: The Wired Guide to Health", with "18 data-driven ways to be happier, healthier, and even a little smarter."

Starting at #1 is "Conserve Your Willpower: It Runs Out". The article says that "willpower isn't just some storybook concept; it's a measurable form of mental energy that runs out as you use it, much like gas in your car." And it suggests ways to make the most of your limited resources, including "don't spread yourself thin: Make one resolution rather than many." It points out that "Another tactic is to outsource self-control."

Similarly, you can only pay attention to so many things at the same time. Outsource whatever you can. That's how Unfrazzle lightens your mental load, by helping you remember and keep track of your self-care and caregiving tasks and allowing you to devote your attention to other things.

The conference itself featured great speakers, including architect Michael Graves, Olympic decathlon gold medalist Ashton Eaton, scientist Craig Venter, photographer Rick Smolan, and Quantified Self founders Gary Wolf and Kevin Kelly. You can view all of their talks on fora.tv.