Delaying Instant Gratification

Have you noticed how fast-paced your life is? So much information is available at our fingertips, instantly! You want to know something right now? No problem, Google it. Can’t wait to have your friend see your vacation photos? Share them online before you even finish your excursion! We have been conditioned to get what we want, when we want it. We are used to instant gratification.

Not that I don’t enjoy these conveniences and it’s not like they are bad things, I just think we have to remember to practice not getting everything we want, when we want it. We want our kids to do this when we tell them “No, you can’t have that candy” or when we ask a child to stop a temper tantrum. But I think as adults we, ourselves, forget to practice; we forget to challenge ourselves to wait. Wait for the other person to finish talking before you say what you want to. Wait for the red light to turn green (without getting upset). Wait for a moment before responding to demands. Even in regards to our diet! Can you say no to a donut? Can you hold off on the third cup of coffee until lunch?

Patience, temperance, diligence and small sacrifice for a greater goal are virtues learned through practicing delayed gratification. I think you would agree that the world would do well to have a little more of these virtues.

Here’s to conquering Stress,
The Stress Experts