--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The key to willpower is \"want-power\". If…" description: "\"The key to willpower is \"want-power\". If U want something strongly enough, U will find the discipline necessary to do it.\" — Douglas Merrill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e6/douglas-merrill-33788_discipline_the-key-to-willpower-is-want-power-if-u_3091935.png" --- # The key to willpower is "want-power". If U want something… ![“The key to willpower is "want-power". If U want something strongly enough, U will find the discipline necessary to do it.” quote by Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e6/douglas-merrill-33788_discipline_the-key-to-willpower-is-want-power-if-u_3091935.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e6/douglas-merrill-33788_discipline_the-key-to-willpower-is-want-power-if-u_3091935.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e6/douglas-merrill-33788_discipline_the-key-to-willpower-is-want-power-if-u_3091935.png) > “The key to willpower is "want-power". If U want something strongly enough, U will find the discipline necessary to do it.” [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strong desire creates the discipline needed to achieve goals. **In simple terms:** Wanting something intensely fuels discipline. Key Takeaway Cultivate strong desire to boost willpower. Themes motivation discipline goal setting Mood determined focused Type motivational practical When to use this quote - personal projects - fitness training - academic study - career advancement Key Concepts psychology self-regulation Questions to Reflect On - How can you strengthen desire for a tough task? - What external factors might still hinder you? A Different Perspective Desire alone may not overcome external obstacles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Willpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willpower/) ## Related quotes > [“desires,” I mean things we feel that we need or want very strongly. There’s an element of passion in the experience of desire”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-d-banyan/desires-i-mean-things-we-feel-that-we-need-or-want-very-strongly/) Calvin D. Banyan > [I want to put strongly and completely all that is necessary, for things weakly said might as well not be said at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-francois-millet/i-want-to-put-strongly-and-completely-all-that-is-necessary-for/) [Jean-Francois Millet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-francois-millet/) > [If you want something strongly let him go, if he returns to you so he is yours forever and if he doesn't return so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mose/if-you-want-something-strongly-let-him-go-if-he-returns-to-you-so-he/) [MOSE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mose/) > [“Ben, why should anybody want that much power?" "Why does a moth fly toward light?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/ben-why-should-anybody-want-that-much-power-why-does-a-moth-fly/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Repentance is but want of power to sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/repentance-is-but-want-of-power-to-sin/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [There are two kinds of women, those who want power in the world and those who want power in bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-two-kinds-of-women-those-who-want-power-in-the-world-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm basically a control freak. It's not because I want to be. I'm not at all into the power play that's involved in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-michael/i-m-basically-a-control-freak-it-s-not-because-i-want-to-be-i-m-not/) [George Michael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-michael/) > [I don't want the power. When a project is given to me, and I say yes, I'm gonna oblige everybody who has the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/i-don-t-want-the-power-when-a-project-is-given-to-me-and-i-say-yes-i/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) > [ “Everybody wants power. Power in some form or other. \[...\] Some people want power to persecute other human beings; you expend your lust for… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/everybody-wants-power-power-in-some-form-or-other-some-people-want/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/this-life-is-yours-take-the-power-to-choose-what-you-want-to-do-and/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I'd want to have the power of mind control. If I had that one skill you'd always see at the bank loading up bags…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-hall/i-d-want-to-have-the-power-of-mind-control-if-i-had-that-one-skill/) [Ryan Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-hall/) > [I only feel, but want the power to paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/i-only-feel-but-want-the-power-to-paint/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [The older I get, the more I realize that you don't have to be around people you don't want to be around, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-bruno/the-older-i-get-the-more-i-realize-that-you-don-t-have-to-be-around/) [Aaron Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-bruno/) > [We want his power more than his purity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilkerson/we-want-his-power-more-than-his-purity/) [David Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilkerson/) > [“You do not realize the power you have over me,” Asmoday says quietly. He brushes the hair from her shoulders. Keely’s body goes rigid.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dark-calling/you-do-not-realize-the-power-you-have-over-me-asmoday-says-quietly-he/) Dark Calling ## More by Douglas Merrill > [The way you think you spend your time and the way you actually spend your time are rarely the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/the-way-you-think-you-spend-your-time-and-the-way-you-actually-spend/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Recognize that there is a time to be left-brained and a time to be right-brained; a time to be efficient and a time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/recognize-that-there-is-a-time-to-be-left-brained-and-a-time-to-be/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Time is more than just a work issue; it's also a life issue. The way you spend your time defines the life you life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/time-is-more-than-just-a-work-issue-it-s-also-a-life-issue-the-way/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Big data isn’t about bits, it’s about talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/big-data-isn-t-about-bits-it-s-about-talent/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Many people assume that they can probably find many ways to save time. This is an incorrect assumption for it is only when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/many-people-assume-that-they-can-probably-find-many-ways-to-save-time/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Time is life. To waste your time is to waste your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/time-is-life-to-waste-your-time-is-to-waste-your-life/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [A habit is good if it helps you achieve your goal; it is bad if it hinders your achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/a-habit-is-good-if-it-helps-you-achieve-your-goal-it-is-bad-if-it/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Learn the difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable; the second is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/learn-the-difference-between-striving-for-excellence-and-striving-for/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Managing your time really means managing yourself. If your time is out of control, it means you are out of control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/managing-your-time-really-means-managing-yourself-if-your-time-is-out/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [With too little data, you won't be able to make any conclusions that you trust. With loads of data you will find relationships that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/with-too-little-data-you-won-t-be-able-to-make-any-conclusions-that/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [There is a time to deliberate... and a time to act. Learn to recognize which is which, and act accordingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/there-is-a-time-to-deliberate-and-a-time-to-act-learn-to-recognize/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [Many of us spend more time on the C's of life than on the A's of life. Don't allow trivial things to crowd out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/many-of-us-spend-more-time-on-the-c-s-of-life-than-on-the-a-s-of-life/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) > [You're the key barrier to your organization's innovation, because you are serious and you believe you know what your customers want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-merrill/you-re-the-key-barrier-to-your-organization-s-innovation-because-you/) [Douglas Merrill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) [Explore all 14 Douglas Merrill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-merrill/) ## More Discipline quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Peace requires a discipline more iron than war. - Easter, 1939 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-j-turner/peace-requires-a-discipline-more-iron-than-war-easter-1939/) W.J. Turner > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Exercise teaches you the pleasure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/exercise-teaches-you-the-pleasure-of-discipline/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [I'm always writing. I'm an obsessive. It's not because I'm a disciplined person. It's because I'm crazy about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-m-always-writing-i-m-an-obsessive-it-s-not-because-i-m-a/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [The undisciplined child enters into discipline by working in the company of others; not being told he is naughty.” “Discipline is, therefore, primarily a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/the-undisciplined-child-enters-into-discipline-by-working-in-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Proverbs from the East: The wind howls, but the mountain remains still. Even though I make no special attempt to observe the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/proverbs-from-the-east-the-wind-howls-but-the-mountain-remains-still/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [Self-discipline is an act of cultivation. It require you to connect today's actions to tomorrow's results. There's a season for sowing a season for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-ryan-blair/self-discipline-is-an-act-of-cultivation-it-require-you-to-connect/) [Gary Ryan Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-ryan-blair/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [Cheerfulness in most cheerful people is the rich and satisfying result of strenuous discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-percy-whipple/cheerfulness-in-most-cheerful-people-is-the-rich-and-satisfying/) [Edwin Percy Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-percy-whipple/) > [Stay in your seat come times of trouble. Its only people who jump off the roller coaster who get hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-harvey/stay-in-your-seat-come-times-of-trouble-its-only-people-who-jump-off/) [Paul Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-harvey/) [Browse all 5,597 Discipline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The key to willpower is \"want-power\". 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