Is Willpower the Key to Personal Achievement?

We are a group of personal development enthusiasts who meet once a week to talk about some interesting topic related to personal development.
Willpower, often referred to as self-control, is the ability to resist short-term temptations in order to achieve long-term goals. Psychological research has extensively explored this concept, particularly through the lens of the ego depletion theory proposed by Roy Baumeister. This theory suggests that willpower is like a muscle that can become fatigued with use. In essence, the more you use self-control in various situations, the harder it becomes to exert it later. This phenomenon is evident in studies where participants who resisted temptations initially were less able to exert self-control in subsequent tasks. Additionally, this model emphasizes the importance of self-regulation, a process that involves controlling one’s behaviour, emotions, and thoughts in the pursuit of long-term goals.
Recent studies, however, have started to challenge the ego depletion model. Researchers are now exploring the idea that willpower may not necessarily be a finite resource, but rather influenced by beliefs and attitudes. For instance, studies have shown that individuals who believe willpower is unlimited are less likely to experience depletion. Moreover, the role of motivation and its impact on willpower has gained attention. It's suggested that high levels of motivation can counterbalance the effects of depletion.
Suggested reading:

• The Complete Guide to Self-Control by Scott H. Young (author of Ultralearning). Massive blog post on the psychology of self-control.