This interesting article in a Dec 26, 2009 Wall Street Journal talks about the very real limits of the prefrontal cortex, which controls things like willpower, resolutions, and the ability to focus ones attention. The metaphor used is that of “willpower-as-muscle,” and the cortex can easily be asked to do too many things, much as a muscle can be asked to lift too much, or be strained for too long. The article talks about the very real necessity of energy (food). Skipping meals makes it significantly harder to, say, quit cigarettes. Distraction can play an important role to control willpower. Since the mind can only focus on so many things at once, those who are able to replace temptations with other thoughts fare significantly better at resisting them. Finally, the cortex can be strengthened just like a real muscle. Students asked to improve their posture for two weeks showed a marked improvement on subsequent measures of self-control. This suggests that practicing mental discipline in one area enhances abilities in other areas. I would like to study this entire area in greater depth, particularly since one of my interests for 2010 is to stay within my limits more, and do more things, or do them better through greater attention, by maintaining boundaries and respecting limitations.