Beyond Willpower by Alex Loyd challenges the standard success blueprint that focuses on these three principles:

1. Focus on what you want
2. Figure out a plan to get there
3. Put the plan into action

On the surface that sounds like a helpful strategy; however, he cites that approach has a 97% failure rate (p. 3).   The reason for the high failure rate is that type of approach depends upon your willpower which is a finite resource and is difficult to maintain for an extended period of time.

Rather than relying upon sheer willpower, he advocates what he refers to as “the Greatest Principle”.  He describes it as follows, “Virtually every problem or lack of happiness and success comes from an internal state of fear in some form – even physical problems.  And every internal state of fear results from a deficit of love in relation to that particular issue” (p. 9).

He points out the underlying motive for our failure, “The presence of our pain/pleasure programming not only explains why willpower is so ineffective, but it also explains why pursuing an external circumstance should never be our primary goal if we’re seeking success in our lives (p. 43).

Loyd’s approach is syncretistic in nature combining various counseling methodologies.  He reveals his antipathy toward religion, “I run from religion.  In fact, it took me decades to recover from my religious upbringing.”  He adds, “However, I try very hard to be a spiritual person, prioritizing live, joy, peace, forgiveness, kindness, and belief” (p. 17).

His eclectic approach merges different philosophies, new age practices, cognitive restructuring, and counseling philosophies such as Larry Crabb’s teaching on significance and security.  His approach may be summarized as he advocates three tools to deprogram and reprogram an individual for success, “. . . the Energy Medicine tool (for the physical), the Reprogramming Statements tool (for the mental), and the Heart Screen tool (for the spiritual) (p. 101).

Throughout the book there are a number of references to the importance of the spiritual dimension.  The following citation for example, emphasizes the importance of prayer, “In their book How God Changes Your Brain, neuroscientist Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman share extensive scientific evidence that the number one factor that improves brain function and health – even more than exercise – is prayer and a corresponding belief in God or spiritual source” (p. 89).   Loyd advocates prayer, however he maintains the source of your prayer is at your discretion, “I believe that the most important thing is to plug into God/source/love, every hour of every day . . .” (p. 166).

This book is not written from a Christian perspective; however there are a number of Christian truths throughout the book.  The author emphasizes the importance of agape love, “Agape is the spontaneous and unconditional love whose source is the divine” (p. 15).  He quotes Proverbs 4:23, “Above all, guard your heart, for from it flows all the issues of life” (p. 74) as well as a number of other Bible verses.  The chart on reprogramming on page 117 is essentially a listing of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23.

The author observes, “. . . the problem isn’t that we don’t know what to do.  The problem is that over 99 percent of people cannot do it, based on the typical success blueprint we’ve all heard, namely (1) focus on the end result you want; (2) create a plan to get that end result; (3) use your willpower and personal effort to work that plan until you receive what you want” (p. 189).  Charles Duhigg points out in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business the limitations of our willpower.

This book provides an alternative to reliance on willpower to make long-lasting changes in your life.  By putting off harmful ways of thinking (deprogramming) and adopting new habits (reprogramming) the author asserts you can move from stress to success.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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