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Feelings of achievement can be given so quickly and easily these days. From fast food to microwaved food to video game trophies to social media likes, we are repeatedly given quick shots of dopamine. We’re addicted to everything being fast and easy, and companies know this. So, they market these quick shots of dopamine to us.
I know some people who can’t sit through a feature-length movie anymore because they’re hooked on TikTok. They don’t have the patience anymore because scrolling infinite TikToks gives much quicker gratification. Amazon Prime is another example I’ve seen. People get deliveries daily for months on end. They need to take the time to go out and physically shop. Instead, they binge-purchase and get Christmas morning deliveries daily.
This mindset makes you think you’re entitled to things and give up on others if you have to work too hard. Patience is waning or disappearing for these people sucked into this instant gratification. This mindset can happen to any of us if we’re not aware. We can all become disappointed and impatient with life but happy when these quick and easy shots of dopamine hit us. We can even get irritated with our loved ones if they don’t say or do what we want. Life takes work, so dealing with life becomes ever increasingly challenging because instant gratification has taken the reigns.
Work and progress have been needed throughout history to maintain a happy and healthy life, including communication, choices, chances, and change. We shouldn’t be afraid of work or working hard, but people are shooting for that quick, feel-good feeling due to the faster pace of life and ever-evolving and encompassing technology.
But this instant gratification goes away as quickly as it comes. If you work at something from scratch, the feelings of fulfillment are overwhelming and lasting. You get a sense of accomplishment and motivation for the future. Consider it: delayed gratification is the cornerstone of optimal outcomes and is literally why banks exist. There is a time value to money. Everyone would gladly pay a dollar tomorrow to get a ‘something’ today. We ascribe a value to this time, but finding a way to weather that time is challenging.
I love a good cup of coffee from my local coffee shop—that’s a form of instant gratification. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s how far you will take it and how you recognize when it’s taking over your mindset. We don’t avoid going to the gym because we want instant gratification. We avoid working out because we have to be uncomfortable there, like with homework, housework, and other actions, we procrastinate.
When working out is a hobby, you don’t have to force yourself to go to the gym. The challenge is that most people see working out as a chore. However, people who are consistent with their training view working out as a fun hobby that releases endorphins and elevates their mood. The delayed gratification mindset is so important because most things that are really worthwhile take longer to appear. Working out is a perfect example. During and after working out, you probably feel rough. It’s a struggle. Physical and mental progress takes time, but the results are always worth it.
Delaying gratification is the function of the pre-frontal cortex. It’s what separates humans from animals and allows for abstraction and imagination. With delayed gratification, we must get comfortable with discomfort. Discipline is pushing through discomfort, which is not the same as delaying gratification. Slow down, and don’t force yourself to get frustrated, however. Think about 3-5 points that you want to be more productive and make small, incremental goals to accomplish daily. These repetitive actions that produce small accomplishments will help to reduce and replace destructive behaviors.
Productivity is about something other than how much you can accomplish in a day (especially like procrastinators). Productivity is about consistency. Life is about making a progressive decision and sticking with it until success. Getting to success may mean working rather than going out and socializing. Eventually, hard work will pay off. When I look at where I am versus where those who didn’t put in the time, it’s unbelievable. I focused and delayed gratification.
Take the time to prepare and cook your food rather than tossing something into the microwave. Choose a book or full movie over scrolling TikToks. Take the time to thoughtfully shop at a store rather than binge-shop online. Develop and harness your love of life outside of instant gratification.
Work on becoming the best version of yourself – for yourself. Life is a process, so live and enjoy the moments and experiences. You can’t have the car of your dreams without working hard, but you can enjoy and appreciate the journey of working hard to achieve that dream. It’s all part of the experience. One step forward is one step farther than you were the day before!
