I believe the root of the problem is a misconception of how humans function. The prevalent trends in related fields, from AI/Neuroscience [1] to PKM/TFT [2], are further entrenching this crude rational/willpower-based perspective.
Perhaps the true (meta)rational perspective is to actually understand how to embrace the larger complexity of human experience (including sensibility/creativity/play...). Maybe the real willpower is to stop obsessing over this limited viewpoint (and the fears it produces) all the time.