Delayed Gratification and Its Benefits
These are few words of advice my parents would often share with me.
These were words their generation lived by. The world today seems so different. We are becoming what we refer to as an "instant" generation and what some would say a quick fix society.
Thinking back on the words of advice, this concept seemed so true in many of our aspects in life, from the trivial one's to the major decisions we take. We many a time tend to schedule our actions so as to get the maximum reward over a period of time.
Food always tastes better to me when I've waited for it.
A movie or an outing with friends was enjoyed more after a week of hard work.
A vacation planned for over weeks and months was always special.
These are just a few examples of this and is what is referred to as delayed gratification. In other words
The process of scheduling the pain and pleasures so as to experience the pain first, getting over with it, so that the pleasure is enhanced or to forego an immediate pleasure or reward to gain a more substantial one later.
A lot of our actions, be it with relation to our diet, our way of living, choices and much more can be analysed and attributed towards delayed gratification.
However having said this, delayed gratification varies from one individual to another and is largely dependent on the influences of many factors right from our childhood days. The way we are brought up, friends, family and society, all have their influences on this.
The changing world today also makes us seek and move towards instant gratification. We want everything now. Instant food, instant wealth.....Some people instantly want what their fathers and forefathers worked over generations for.
Time today in this fast paced world seems to compress everything. Technology and the internet has changed everything. We want happiness instantly. Instant Gratification will not get you that true happiness. It requires patience, control and willingness.
Think about it. Isn't it better to have something when you know you can and have the means for it ?
Can you visualise or remember all that you go through when you decide to buy first and pay later ?,
The practise of delayed gratification is extremely beneficial.
It makes you think about the future and plan for it. You start looking at the bigger picture.
The health benefits from eating the right kind of foods instead of opting for the instant foods all the time.
Our financial health is much better.
We perform better at work.
Our relationships are more in harmony.
Our happiness levels are more.
The benefits are more satisfying over the long run.
After all, I always believe that
Nothing in this world that's worth having comes easy.
Published by Alok
I am always learning and would love to share my experiences and learn from others as well. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentThis is an exemplary article showcasing your niche as a writer. I really appreciate the way you have put it. It's been a great inspirational piece.
Delaying gratification, I feel, is but dependent on how we perceive and made to perceive life as a child. Some kids who are subjected to what-I-want-what-get- syndrome still continue with this as grown ups. In most cases, I find this as disturbing, specially for a person like me, who is much poised and working towards a stern disciplined. On the contrary, I learn from my father and others like him who would forego anything! Yes anything! That requires a a lot of discipline and strength. Even though I am not that extreme, I have always respected people like that who have such a strong emotional control.