In today's world, we're often bombarded with instant gratification. We can have food delivered to our doorstep in minutes, binge-watch our favorite TV shows all weekend, and scroll endlessly through social media feeds. While these experiences may bring us temporary happiness, they can also lead to a lack of impulse control and hinder our ability to succeed in the long run.
Research has shown that the ability to delay gratification is a key predictor of success in many areas of life, from academic achievement to career advancement to personal relationships. This skill allows us to make choices based on our long-term goals rather than our short-term desires.
The ability to delay gratification is not innate - it can be learned and strengthened over time
By exercising self-discipline in simple ways on a daily basis, like refraining from checking our phones or eating sweet snacks, we can enhance our ability to resist bigger temptations and eventually reach our long-term objectives.
Delayed gratification is the hallmark of a growth mindset
Individuals possessing a growth mindset acknowledge that temporary trade-offs, like prioritizing studying over watching TV or saving money rather than spending it, can result in future gains. They are prepared to exert the necessary hard work and dedication to accomplish their objectives, even if it involves postponing immediate pleasure.
On the other hand, individuals with a fixed mindset are more concerned with immediate gratification and are less motivated to put in the effort needed for long-term achievements. They might give up quickly when faced with obstacles or failures because they believe that their abilities are predetermined and cannot be enhanced.
Delayed gratification is a key principle for building good habits and breaking bad ones
By choosing to delay the immediate pleasure of a bad habit - such as eating junk food or checking our phones incessantly - we can build new habits that are more aligned with our long-term goals.
To enhance delayed gratification, a useful approach is to concentrate on the process rather than the final outcome. Instead of fixating on the ultimate goal, we can concentrate on the small, everyday behaviours that contribute towards achieving that goal. By turning these activities into routine habits and postponing immediate rewards, we can generate lasting transformations in our lives.