Includes bibliographical references and index.

Is willpower more than a metaphor? -- Where does the power in willpower come from? -- A brief history of the to-do list, from God to Drew Carey -- Decision fatigue -- Where have all the dollars gone? The quantified self knows -- Can willpower be strengthened? (Preferably without feeling David Blaine's pain) -- Outsmarting yourself in the heart of darkness -- Did a higher power help Eric Clapton and Mary Karr stop drinking? -- Raising strong children: self-esteem versus self-control -- The perfect storm of dieting -- Conclusion : The future of willpower: more gain, less strain (as long as you don't procrastinate).

The authors review the latest research to report key findings on willpower and offer practical advice for increasing it.