“The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. On that basis we are almost always in collision with something or somebody, even though our motives are good.” (Page 60, Big Book)
(1) Self-will
According to pages 60 to 62, any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. It is helpful to reread and apply these pages to one’s experience until the picture comes clear. Happiness does not come from getting one’s own way. In fact, that’s the root of all of the problems: the delusion that one needs to get one’s own way to be happy. The conclusion: one should drop all wants and wishes.
Antidote: Seek to do God’s will; serve God by being helpful to others; say to God ‘Thy will be done’ until one means it cheerfully.