"The practical significance is enormous.  Most of the problems that plague modern individuals in our society -- addiction, overeating, crime, domestic violence, sexually transmitted diseases, prejudice, debt, unwanted pregnancy, educational failure, underperformance at school and work, lack of savings, failure to exercise -- have some degree of self control failure as a central aspect." - Roy Baumeister, PhD

• Self-control is like a muscle- it fatigues with use
• It's also like a muscle in that it can strengthen! (sorry, you're not off the hook for that midnight Chubby Hubby binge)

• Muraven
• short term- 2 week study
• Oaten and Chang
• longer term- 2 month study

• Mischel
• Marshmallow experiment
• 40 years!
• Brain scan studies 

(Psy Blog Remix!)

1. Respect low ego
2. Pre-commit
3. Use rewards
4. And penalties
5. Fight the unconscious (mere suggestion of temptation)
6. Adjust expectations (it's ok to lie to yourself and be overly optimistic- as long as you're not outside of the realm of reality)
7. Adjust values (value your goals and thumb your nose at temptations)
8. Use your heart (emotions can help you meet your goals)
9. Self affirmation
10. Think abstract (why not just how you're doing something)

http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/04/top-10-self-control-strategies.php

  

Suggested reading