Have you ever eaten a whole bag of chips even though you knew you’d regret it later? Or maybe you’ve bought something on impulse that you didn’t really need. These are just a few examples of instant gratification, the act of choosing a smaller, immediate reward over a larger, delayed reward.

While instant gratification can be tempting, it’s important to be able to delay gratification in order to achieve our long-term goals. Delayed gratification is the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in order to receive a greater reward later.

QUOTE

“The world seems to be accustomed to delaying gratification less and less, which means the rewards of delaying gratification grow more and more.”

— James Clear

ARTICLE

People who learn to manage their need for immediate gratification will thrive more in their careers, relationships, health, and fitness. But, it’s hard. We aren’t wired to delay our gratification. And, today we are surrounded by more temptation than a toddler in a candy aisle.

https://tomgreene.com/blog/the-importance-of-delayed-gratification

QUESTIONS

• Where do you find the discipline of delayed gratification most necessary?
• Who do you know that has had success in that area?
• How might that person help you to develop this?

Delayed gratification does not mean that you can never have the things you want. It simply means that you are willing to wait for them until you can achieve them in a way that is aligned with your long-term goals and values. However, the rewards of delayed gratification are often much sweeter than the immediate gratification that we may be tempted to seek.