The Power of Willingness to Change Over Willpower



As an English teacher, I often find myself discussing the concept of personal growth and the importance of embracing change. While willpower is often praised as the key to achieving goals, I believe that the willingness to change plays an even more crucial role in personal development.

Willpower is the mental strength to persist in the face of challenges and resist short-term temptations in order to meet long-term goals. However, it is often limited and can be exhausted. On the other hand, the will to change is an inherent desire and openness to embrace new ideas, behaviors, and perspectives.

One might possess immense willpower to stick to a strict diet or study regimen, but if they are not genuinely willing to change their lifestyle or study habits, their efforts may ultimately fall short. The willingness to change involves a deeper level of commitment and flexibility that goes beyond sheer determination. It requires self-awareness, reflection, and a genuine desire for transformation.

For instance, consider a student who struggles with time management. They may have the willpower to force themselves to adhere to a rigid schedule, but if they are not willing to fundamentally change their approach to planning and prioritizing tasks, they may continue to face difficulties. Conversely, a student who is open to exploring new time management strategies and willing to adapt their habits is more likely to achieve lasting success.

In essence, the will to change is the foundation upon which willpower is built. Without a sincere willingness to embrace change, willpower alone may not be enough to drive meaningful and lasting personal growth.

Vocabulary Building:

  1. Embrace: Accept or support willingly and enthusiastically.

    • Meaning: To hold closely in one's arms; accept or support.

    • Antonym: Reject

  2. Persist: Continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.

    • Meaning: To continue steadfastly or firmly in some state or course of action.

    • Antonym: Quit

  3. Exhausted: Drained of one's physical or mental resources; very tired.

    • Meaning: Extremely tired.

    • Antonym: Energized

  4. Flexibility: Willingness to change or compromise.

    • Meaning: The quality of bending easily without breaking.

    • Antonym: Rigidity

  5. Self-awareness: Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

    • Meaning: Conscious knowledge of one’s own character and feelings.

    • Antonym: Unconsciousness

  6. Transformation: A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

    • Meaning: A marked change in form, nature, or appearance.

    • Antonym: Stagnation

Encouraging a genuine willingness to change in our students can lead to more profound and lasting improvements, both academically and personally. As educators, fostering this mindset can be just as important as developing their reading skills and vocabulary.

Let’s inspire our students to not only work hard but to also be open to change and growth. What are your thoughts on this approach? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SRI VIDYA GANAPATI VANCHA KALPALATA MANTRA

Image
SRI VIDYA GANAPATI VANCHA KALPALATA MANTRA Credit: Rakesh Vyas and Simon Vancha Kalpalatha Ganapathi mantra is very powerful. This mantra contains Ksapira prasada Ganapthi , Ucchista Ganapathi and Srividya Vallabha Ganapathi , Agni, Surya, Lalaithambika, Balatripura Sundari, Mahamritunjaya, Kubera, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Rudra, Durga shaktis together.  Śrī Vidyā Ga ṇ apati Vāñcha kalpalatā mantra श्री विद्या गणपति वाञ्छ कल्पलता मन्त्र శ్రీ విద్యా గణపతి వాంఛ కల్పలత మంత్రం This mantra is a combination of mantras of Ga ṇ apati, Saubhāgya Pañcadaśī and Gāyatrī. Vāñcha means wishing or the one who desires for something and kalpalatā means granting all desires. (Dictionary meaning of kalpalatā – a creeper that grants all desires) This is the mantra: om śrī ṁ hrī ṁ klī ṁ glau ṁ ga ṁ ai ṁ ka e ī la hrī ṁ tat saviturvare ṇ ya ṁ ga ṇ apataye । klī ṁ ha sa ka ha la hrī ṁ bhargo devasya dhīmahi varavarada । sa...
Read more

My Father - My Hero

Image
My father, Veluvali Rama Lingeswara Sarma, studied B.A. in P.R. College, Kakinada in the later part of 1940s. Later he did B.Ed. He was interested to serve the young nation by becoming a part of the education system. Soon after the completion of his graduation, he got so many jobs. In those days, jobs were not tough to get. He got jobs in Revenue, Justice and Education departments. He chose education department as believed that providing good education was the immediate need then.  He taught in High Schools, Basic Training Schools and worked as an Inspector of Schools in several districts of Andhra Pradesh. His early years as a government servant were in Krishna and West Godavari districts. I born in Tanuku, when he was working there. Later he was transferred to Srikakulam district. All my sisters were born in the same district. We had a pleasant though short time there. My father served in various places as Parvatipuram, Ranastalam, Vamaravalli, Gummalakshmipuram, ...
Read more

My Father - Lives Ever

Image
My father - My God My Father -  Lives  Ever He is short. He is stout. He is powerful. He is simple. He loves nice things of life. He adores his juniors. He often fights with high-ups for the sake of his protégées. He fights hierarchy; he gets transferred to ‘Agency Area’. He serves his department without prejudice. Most of his service has been in very backward regions.  Basically, he loves his birthplace, the Godavari Delta very much. He strives to get transferred to his native district all his working life. It never happens. But, he is never discouraged. He believes in the government sponsored education system so much that he admits me, his only son, a son he sired after an agonizingly long wait, in a newly conceived residential system of education ( a la gurukul), a model school, far away from home. By the time his son finishes the high school; he falls ill and becomes helpless. My father with his B.Ed Classmates He suffers from diabetes. The unde...
Read more