Delay the “I want it now”
How delayed gratification helps in increasing patience
In a world where everything is available instantly, delayed gratification is becoming a rare trait. People want things now, and waiting for anything seems like a waste of time. However, the ability to delay gratification is a powerful skill that can lead to greater success and fulfillment in life.
Delayed gratification is the power to resist the urge for an immediate reward in favor of a later, substantial reward. It’s the concept of “saving for a rainy day” rather than spending everything you have right now. Research has shown that individuals who are better at delaying gratification tend to have higher levels of success in their personal and professional lives.
Studies conducted on children in the 1960s and 1970s by psychologist Walter Mischel showed that children who were able to resist the temptation of a small, immediate reward (like one marshmallow) in favor of a larger, delayed reward (like two marshmallows) had better life outcomes. These children were found to be more academically successful, socially competent, and emotionally stable as adults compared to those who could not resist the temptation of the immediate reward.
Delayed gratification requires a combination of willpower and impulse control. Willpower is the ability to control one’s thoughts and actions, while impulse control is the ability to resist immediate impulses and desires. It’s important to note that delayed gratification doesn’t mean giving up on immediate pleasure altogether. It’s about finding a balance between instant gratification and long-term goals.
One way to improve your ability to delay gratification is to practice mindfulness (easier said than done!!). Mindfulness can be practiced through boring meditations, deep breathing, and other relaxation techniques, but unfortunately, these boring techniques are extremely productive.
Another way to improve your ability to delay gratification is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. SMART goals help you stay focused on your long-term objectives and make it easier to resist the temptation of immediate rewards. When you set a SMART goal, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps that you can achieve over time. This way, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment along the way and stay motivated to achieve your larger goal.
Delayed gratification is a powerful skill that can lead to greater success and fulfillment in life. It requires a combination of willpower and impulse control, and it’s something that can be developed with practice. By practicing mindfulness, setting SMART goals, and finding a balance between instant gratification and long-term goals, you can improve your ability to delay gratification and achieve greater success in your personal and professional life.
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