You’re not in control of your own life…You’re succumbing to the struggle of the century. The perfect storm has been brewing for the last decade, and we are all caught up in it. 

A life of convenience, luxury, and accessibility has bred a distinct mindset within us. Instant gratification is the anthem of our generation but have you ever thought of the consequences of this mindset? 

They say that the best things in life come with time, hard work, and perseverance, and often aren’t considered to be ‘easy’. Yet with instant gratification being glorified in media all around us, our thought processes are being molded to believe the opposite. 

If you're not naturally amazing at something, then you shouldn’t pursue it. If you aren’t instantly making money off your small business, then it’s a failure. If you aren’t immediately finding success in your passion, then maybe you shouldn’t go after it. 

The lack of instant gratification is not an indicator of your success in any given situation. But nowadays, the frequency of instant gratification has become so high that we’ve lost the ability to feel true satisfaction and accomplishment in the achievement of hard things. Not to mention, we are way more likely to give up when things aren’t immediately successful. 

The practice of denying yourself instant gratification can foster a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in long-term goals. 

It’s a rare trait authentically practiced by individuals because it goes against the grain of society. But doing so will allow you to reap the lasting benefits.

Here are three ways that delaying gratification will improve your life and how this skill is the key to unlocking your full potential. 

#1 Improved Self-Discipline

Denying instant gratification requires self-discipline, which is a valuable skill that can be applied in all areas of life, from work to relationships. The more you practice self-discipline, the stronger it becomes, leading to greater success and fulfillment in the long term. It’s one of the greatest positive feedback loops. 

In a world where instant gratification is promoted and normalized, it’s going to take a great deal of self-discipline to deny yourself the feelings that come along with allowing yourself instant gratification. 

Because if we’re all honest with ourselves, that’s really why you desire instant gratification over long-term benefits. Instant gratification is a way to affirm yourself that you’re doing the right thing by settling for a lesser reward that can be provided instantly. 

I mean, who wants to wait to reap the benefits of something until five years down the line?

Everything around us tells us to settle for less but makes us think that we are getting more because we are getting it now. 

#2 Better Decision Making

When you delay gratification, you have more time to weigh your options and make more informed decisions. This can help you avoid impulsive choices that may have negative consequences and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.

In this day and age, it’s all about timing. Instant gratification leverages time by expediting the perceived benefits or rewards of doing something. But instead of giving you long-lasting benefits, it gives you hit-and-run rewards. 

Because it takes us an average of 10 minutes (and sometimes up to 3 hours) to make a decision, instant gratification has the upper hand in the decision-making process. 

You are more likely to make a decision solely based on your ability to not only reap the rewards but also reap them quickly. 

This is also true in your relationships. Delaying gratification can help you be more patient, thoughtful, and considerate in your interactions with others, leading to stronger and more fulfilling relationships.

This helps to shift your focus to the long-term benefits of resolving conflict and fostering deeper connections. It encourages you to keep the big picture in mind and build strong foundations in your relationships. 

When you delay the sense of accomplishment, you are able to take more into consideration. It helps to shift your mindset from short-term gain to long-term benefits. 

It helps you to set a goal with the right intentions. 

#3 Increased Resilience

Resisting the temptation of instant gratification builds resilience and can help you bounce back from challenges and setbacks with greater determination. 

The world is full of distractions and temptations. They’re so powerful they can overtake and control our lives. 

Delayed gratification can help you take charge and live the life you want, no longer a slave to distractions and temptations. 

The temptation to settle for something just because the gratification will come sooner is a serious problem. It means that in the face of setbacks, you may be easily demoralized, as your commitment was only to the immediate satisfaction and not the act itself. 

When your intentions for doing something are purely surface-level and built upon a foundation of instant gratification, your drive ceases to exist the moment instant gratification is not delivered.

When you delay gratification and have a long-term goal in mind, you start to build resilience for yourself whenever challenges come your way. 

Real Talk

By delaying gratification, you are taking the road less traveled. This will not be easy.

The truth is that you will be met with the temptation of taking the easy way out settling for instant gratification.

But by practicing self-dicipline and not succumbing to the calls of instant gratification, you are setting yourself up for long-term success. 

Practicing delayed gratification leads to a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in life as you work towards and achieve long-term goals that are important to you. 

Instant gratification is never going to fulfill you the same way working towards and achieving a long-term goal will. 

Delayed gratification is a beneficial habit that is often overlooked, but one that promotes extreme personal growth. 

Self-discipline sets you apart in a world of self-indulgence. Better decision-making unlocks more opportunities. Building resilience is the key to overcoming challenges.

Delayed gratification is not just about sacrificing short-term pleasures. It’s about making smart choices that will benefit you in the long run.

Take a step back and imagine your life for a second. Are you going to remember the quick $500 you made when you went to the casino? Or are you going to remember the multi-million business you started from the ground up that built generational wealth for your family?

The choice is yours…