Did you know that will power is like coal? We have a limited amount, and it can very well run out before your husband buys your lot. I am pretty sure that I used up a fair chunk in my 20s and 30s trying to stay sober, eat right, exercise five times a week, yada yada yada through a bunch of boredom.

Now it’s gone. The technology fast that I had no problem pulling off a year ago (no email, facebook, twitter, etc. for 20 days)? I got to day five. The no-work-on-the weekends resolution I kept for months on end last year? Tried it again and caved Friday evening. I am determined to get some of my will power back, so here I have assembled the tricks that have worked in the past.

Therese Borchard writes the Beyond Blue blog on Beliefnet.