Saturday, September 21, 2013

4B: Can delaying gratification lead to success even at an older age?

The only way I can explain this answer is by using a very “girl” metaphor, sorry boys.  Suppose you are trying to fit into this gorgeous dress. It’s un-alterable and the exact dress you need in order to make a statement.  Except it’s a little more than snug.  The thought of losing just a little weight never seemed to be difficult, until that chocolate chip cookie on the counter started to melt in the warmth of the sunlight.  So what now? You could either eat the cookie, and just barely fit into the dress, or you could wait.  Wait a week, or even a month, after you were on a strict diet.  The cookie would be your reward after a long, hard challenge. 
At this point, you may be wondering what the difference between eating the cookie now as opposed to later would be.  If you eat the cookie now, you make no progress.  You are simply giving in to your temptation without even fighting it.  Also, it will make your diet so much harder to continue. You will just continue to eat the cookies as you see them.   If you eat the cookie later, you are making progress.  You have lost weight already and the cookie will not bring all your weight back.  Plus, the cookie will taste so much better if you wait. 
When you take the metaphor out, it’s easier to apply this type of success with other types of success.  For example, being able to wait until you’re done with your homework or chores before you go out for the night is another way delaying gratification can lead to success.   

What troubles me is when delaying gratification becomes procrastination.  Let’s say you are putting off a form of gratification, for example, going out for the night, then the plans get changed and you are home for the night, why do your homework now?

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