The willpower paradox shows that it's more productive to switch from declarative self-talk to interrogative self-talk. Research suggests that people who use confident self-talk ("I can do this!") are less likely to persevere when faced with difficult tasks than those who use interrogative self-talk ("Can I do this?").

The willpower paradox occurs because declarative self-talk can lead to overconfidence. It happens because confident self-talk activates the part of the brain that is responsible for decision making. This can lead to people feeling overconfident because they think that making the choice will make them successful.

Interrogative self-talk, on the other hand, activates the part of the brain that is responsible for problem solving. This allows people to see that there is more than one way to solve a problem, and that they have the ability to find a solution. Interrogative self-talk is more effective because it helps people to persevere in the face of difficulties.

Overconfidence can lead to people giving up when they encounter difficulties. Interrogative self-talk is more effective because it helps people to find solutions to problems.

The willpower paradox can be overcome by simply changing the way you talk to yourself. When you are faced with a difficult task, instead of saying "I can do this!", say "Can I do this?".

This small change in self-talk can make a big difference in your ability to overcome obstacles and achieve success.