Conversation
Answer the following questions. You might be asked to write them down or answer them out loud.
- What is your definition of vice?
- What is your definition of virtue?
- What bad habits do you have?
- Are you easily tempted?
- What do you do to avoid temptations?
- Can you easily say "No" to things? Why?
- Do you have a list of long-term goals?
- What are some things you wish you could do but have difficulty doing?
- Tell me about something you will do in the future.
- Tell me about something you won't do in the future.
- Tell me about something you want to do in the future.
Vocabulary
Look at the vocabulary below. Take time to explore the links for their definitions in English and their translations to portuguese. When you are done, make a sentence with each word. Ask your teacher if you should write them down or say them out loud.
Video
Watch the following video but DON'T read the transcript yet.
After watching the video do this listening exercise.
Reading practice
Read the following transcript then do the associated reading comprehension exercise.
ExpandTranscript:
- You know that feeling when you really want to accomplish something but it seems like your brain is almost fighting against you.
KM: We actually have something more like two minds.
- That's Kelly McGonigal author of the Willpower Instinct
KM: Ah, we have one brain that is very responsive to our immediate needs and when we're in that mindset we tend to make choices that are inconsistent with our long-term goals. But we also all have this other brain, this other mindset that thinks about long-term consequences, remembers what our big values are, takes a kind of expansive view on our lives and our choices. And when we're in that mindset and that system of the brain is in control of our choices, we tend to do things that make our future self actually happier and healthier, more productive, more successful.
- So Kelly says that while many of us think of willpower as the ability to say no to that short-term part of our brain, it can actually be much more effective to tap into the different types of willpower that help us unleash the long term part of our brain.
KM: Many people think of willpower as the ability to resist temptation. But willpower is actually three powers: I will power, I won't power and I want power. I won't power is what we typically think of as willpower, it is the ability to resist temptation. I will power, that's the ability to remember that you want the consequences of doing this difficult thing, and the third power I want power the ability to walk around the world with a clear memory of what it is you care about most. So that when you're deciding what to eat for lunch, it's not an automatic choice but actually in that moment you think about your desire for health. And, actually, what willpower does is it allows you to put your energy and attention on exactly what it is you want and what you care about.
- So if you want to change automatic behavior prompted by that short-term part of our brain, we can't just rely on I won't willpower which will eventually wear down. We also have to tap into I will willpower like whenever I'm tempted to eat a piece of chocolate cake I will eat a handful of carrots instead or I want willpower, like when I'm tempted to smoke I'll remind myself that I really want to be alive to see my grandchildren. By doing this we're tapping into new sources of will power and will make changing those behaviors that much easier.
Writing practice
Write a couple of paragraphs talking about your thoughts on the topics discussed in the video. Make sure to use words you learned from the text and try to make it as long as you can.
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