Have you ever wondered why only a few become successful while the majority of the people cannot?
In this article, I will share the core principles that help you to become successful in life. And how delayed gratifcation is better than instant gratification.
Instant Gratification vs Delayed Gratification
We are living in a fast pace world, where things are changing fast. And all the advancements in technology, science, and other fields have made human life very comfortable and luxurious than ever.
With the advancement of technology, we are prone to get instant gratification from many things. Such as excessive use of social media, video games, eating junk food, having exotic things in life is just one click away from you.
According to Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalytic theory): Pleasure Principle, we are prone to pleasure and avoid pain. When we embrace a pleasurable experience, the brain secretes the pleasure-secreting hormone known as Dopamine. Due to this, our minds want us to have that experience again and again.
But as we are getting more into the consumerism of these things. It affects our brain at many levels. Thus, it hinders the development of the brain.
As for learning things, discipline is the essential quality for development. But instant things have been making people crazy. Thus, people are always in a quick fix, quick success.
Some scientific research also suggested that along with IQ, patience is the most needed quality for success in career, health, life, and relationship in the long term.
In this context, the MARSHMALLOW EXPERIMENT helps us better understand the power of discipline and patience in long-term success.
The Marshmallow Experiment
Michel Wason did the Marshmallow Experiment in 1960 at Stanford University. According to the Marshmallow Experiment, the students were given a Marshmallow(candy) with the instruction that if you wait for a certain period, let say 10 minutes or more. Then, you will get another Marshmallow.
And then, instructors were analyzing the behavior of the students. Some ate the Marshmallow after they got it. Some went into the discussion about Marshmallow and later got tempted towards it. Only a few were the students who kept doing their work and got another Marshmallow.
And this experiment did not stop here; instructors did analysis again after many years. And it was found that those students who waited and got another Marshmallow were more successful and had better health and better relationships than other people who did not wait or ate it after some discussion.
This experiment revealed that if there is any correlation between habits and success, then patience and self-control or discipline are the qualities that people need to develop in them.
People want to become successful and want to make their dream into reality, but fail to do so. They fail to realize that those who have done great in any fields such as Technology, Science, Business, Cinema, etc., have some great qualities resulting from delayed gratification.
For instance, Einstein, Nikola Tesla, took many years, after which they produced excellent work. It becomes possible only because they know it was the right thing to do.
While in the journey, some may have some setbacks. But that does not mean to break you. These are opportunities to make you stronger than before.
Conclusion
It is the delayed gratification that pays you back. And make you super productive, and where great things become effortless for you.
But it needs investment. So it’s your choice,
Either waste time just consuming things or try to learn new things and develop skills that can pay you back in the long term.
Thank you!!1