For the past few years my willpower has been steadily increasing.
Could you explain how you've come to this conclusion? I seem to recall others saying things along this line in their posts every once in a while, and since I've got a fresh occurrence, I thought I'd inquire about what this means.
As to not be completely obscure, I've wondered if undergoing studies in applied rationality is increasing literal willpower (which I'm loosely defining as, "the ability to set a goal and follow through with it, regardless of what one feels like doing after embarking toward said goal or what surmountable obstacles come up")?
...Or does it just seem that way because one refines what one thinks of as worthy of time, and thus it seems that more frivolous things fall by the wayside because we simply have better goals/conceptions of what's worth investing in to begin with.
Does that make sense?
Asked another way, what metrics exist to test the strength of willpower over time, and how have you used such metrics to observe an increase?
I do less hyperbolic discounting. A few years ago, if I was given the choice between playing flash games and studying, I would choose games, but if the choice was to be made a month in advance I would have chosen studying. Now I always choose studying.
I still value the same things over the long term, but now my short-term and long-term values are mostly the same. Hyperbolic discounting / akrasia does not affect my judgments as much.
For the past few years my willpower has been steadily increasing. If it lasts and I use it to accomplish something noteworthy, I might write a post about it.
Anyway, what should a rational preference utilitarian with infinite willpower do? Assume that there are no negative effects (unhappiness, stress) with using this willpower, and that they can control their emotions at will.
Clearly they should work a lot more, not spend time on recreation (movies, TV, games), stand instead of sitting, etc..
What else? Should they listen to music? Should they keep their muscles flexed 24/7 ? What should they learn, where would they have the most relative advantage? How much time would be worth spending on social interaction?
I can figure out these things on my own, but those questions are important and good ideas are very valuable.