Week 1 — Foundations
Week 2 — Small habit practice
Week 3 — Build duration and structure
Week 4 — Automation and accountability
If you want a printable one-page checklist, a 8-week calendar template, or a version tailored to Edward Aubanel’s specific framework or writings, tell me which and I’ll produce it.
The work "Will-power: How to Control and Stimulate It, Train it to Effort and Use it to Succeed in Life" is a vintage self-improvement guide published by Edward Aubanel in 1950, authored by Raymond de Saint-Laurent. This book is part of a broader series on mind training and personal development that emphasizes the mental discipline required to achieve professional and personal success. The Core Philosophy of Aubanel’s Will-Power
The central theme of the Aubanel publication is that willpower is not a static trait but a trainable skill. The text focuses on the transition from passive existence to active achievement through deliberate mental effort.
The Power of a Clear Aim: A primary lesson is the necessity of a "life aim." Without a specific, motivated objective, individuals risk stagnating in unsatisfying roles.
Mental Energy Focus: Defining a clear goal allows a person to focus their mental energy, which naturally increases their abilities and makes steady improvement easier.
Avoidance of Stagnation: The book warns that a lack of direction leads to a "drifting" life, where one's potential is never fully realized. Practical Steps for Training the Will
According to the Aubanel series, developing willpower involves a structured, multi-step process:
Identification: Determine exactly what you like and who you want to become.
Assessment: Evaluate if the chosen aim is reasonable and attainable. will power edward aubanel
Staging: Break the large objective into smaller stages with specific deadlines.
Regular Reflection: Consistently think about the objective and track progress to maintain motivation. Historical Context: Raymond de Saint-Laurent and Aubanel
Raymond de Saint-Laurent was a prolific author of the mid-20th century who wrote extensively on psychology and "mind training". His works were often published by E. Aubanel, a publisher known for psychological and self-help literature during that era. These books often carried titles like "My 20 Lessons of Mind-Training" and were designed to provide accessible, actionable advice to the public. Why the Work Remains Relevant
While modern psychology (such as the work of Roy F. Baumeister) often discusses willpower as a finite resource regulated by glucose and rest, the Aubanel-published works approach it from a philosophical and habit-based perspective. It argues that the direction of the will is as important as its strength. By aligning your daily efforts with a meaningful life aim, you reduce the friction of decision-making and build a more resilient character.
A guide to developing will power according to the principles of Edward Aubanel
focuses on the methodical training of the mind to control and stimulate effort. His approach, often detailed in the "My 20 Lessons of Mind-Training" series, emphasizes that willpower is not a fixed trait but a muscle that can be strengthened through specific psychological exercises. 1. The Foundation: Mental Control
Willpower begins with the ability to direct your focus without distraction. Methodical Analysis
: Break down complex problems into small, manageable factors. By examining each factor logically, you prevent feelings or overwhelming emotions from distorting your judgment. Stimulating Effort
: Willpower is "stimulated" by maintaining powerful interests. If your interest in a goal is weak, your will to achieve it will be equally frail. 2. Training through Observation and Memory
Edward Aubanel’s system links willpower closely to the clarity of your mental impressions. The "First Impression" Rule
: To remember and act on a goal, you must form a strong initial impression. Multi-Sensory Engagement
: Use multiple senses to "dwell" on a mental image of your goal. This deepens the mental footprint, making it easier for the will to recall and prioritize that specific task later. Full Attention Week 1 — Foundations
: Distraction is the enemy of will. Practice giving absolute attention to a single object or thought for increasing intervals of time to build "mental stamina." 3. Logical Reasoning over Emotional Impulse
A core tenet of this approach is that a strong will is guided by reason, not passion. Avoid Distortion : Feelings can often "cloud" the necessity of a task. Step-by-Step Logic
: Use logic to justify why an effort is necessary. When the mind understands the
of the effort, the resistance to starting that effort decreases. 4. Practical Exercise: The "20 Lessons" Approach
To apply these principles, follow this structured routine found in Mind Training Techniques Daily Review
: Spend 10 minutes analyzing your day’s decisions logically. Focus Sessions
: Practice observing a simple object (like a pen) for 2 minutes, noting every detail, to train concentration. Interest Building
: Write down three reasons why your current goal is "vitally important" to you to stimulate the necessary emotional fuel for the will. Summary of Resources Primary Text
Will-power: How to Control and Stimulate It, Train it to Effort and Use it to Succeed in Life by Raymond de Saint-Laurent, published by E. Aubanel (1950) Mind Training
: Lessons on memory and observation by W.R. Borg, often associated with the Aubanel series of mental development exercise plan based on these 20 lessons to start your training?
The intersection of late 19th-century French literature and the philosophical study of the human psyche finds a fascinating, if niche, focal point in the works of Edward Aubanel. While contemporary self-help often treats willpower as a modern discovery, Aubanel’s contributions offer a window into how the Victorian and Edwardian eras viewed the "training" of the mind. The Context of Edward Aubanel
Edward Aubanel was a figure deeply rooted in the French literary and academic traditions. Writing during a time when psychology was still untethering itself from philosophy, Aubanel was interested in the practical application of mental discipline. His work often explored how the individual could rise above their circumstances through the sheer application of "will." Willpower as a Muscle Week 2 — Small habit practice
Aubanel’s central thesis regarding willpower was that it is not a fixed trait. Instead, he viewed it as a mental faculty that could be developed through specific exercises and habits. This mirrors modern "ego depletion" theories, though Aubanel viewed it through a more optimistic lens of infinite growth.
Mental Hygiene: He advocated for "cleanliness of thought," removing distractions that weakened the resolve.
Small Victories: Aubanel believed that conquering small, mundane tasks was the training ground for major life decisions.
The Power of Focus: He stressed that willpower is essentially the ability to hold one idea in the mind to the exclusion of all others. The "Aubanel Method" of Self-Mastery
While he may not have formalized a "method" in the way modern gurus do, his writings point toward a specific lifestyle designed to maximize personal agency.
Strict Routine: Establishing a daily rhythm to minimize the need for decision-making.
Physical Fortitude: A belief that a weak body often leads to a weak resolve; light exercise and fresh air were essential.
Intellectual Rigor: Engaging with difficult texts to stretch the attention span. Legacy and Modern Relevance
Today, the name Edward Aubanel is often cited by those researching the history of "New Thought" or early psychological development. His writings serve as a bridge between the stoicism of the past and the productivity hacks of the present.
In an age of digital distraction, Aubanel’s insistence on the "sovereignty of the soul" over the impulses of the body feels remarkably prescient. He reminds us that while technology changes, the fundamental struggle to direct our own lives remains the same.
💡 Key Takeaway: For Aubanel, willpower wasn't about "trying harder"—it was about designing a life where the will could flourish.
"Will-power: How to Control and Stimulate It" is a 1950 mind-training book published by E. Aubanel, often associated with a "My 20 Lessons of Mind-Training" series attributed to authors like W. R. Borg. The work focuses on cultivating mental strength through self-control, defining life aims, and practical exercises such as rhythmic breathing, with themes often appearing alongside esoteric or New Thought literature. For more details, visit Google Books
This is the classic definition: saying no to immediate gratification for a long-term goal. Resisting junk food, procrastination, or anger. Aubanel warned that relying only on Resistive Will leads to exhaustion. “He who says no a hundred times a day,” he wrote, “has already lost the war of attention.”