Putting off pleasure in a generation like today’s seems like a practically nonexistent and impossible notion. Small to large-scale dopamine triggers exist around every corner, and none of us are immune to some version of their attractiveness. From food and media consumption to material consumerism, and vices and indulgences to suit almost every mood, palette, or personality type, it’s impressive that the average person can exercise any level of self-discipline or boundaries at all.

I came across the specific term “delaying gratification” at a later age. I always knew what a gratifying experience meant and felt like, but the idea of trading it in for a less pleasant one positioned as a path toward long-term personal growth seemed counter-intuitive. A comment made by a former colleague a few years ago further sparked my interest in the concept. She mentioned how aiming to complete your least desirable tasks or projects at the beginning of your day is a proven method for long-term success.

Over the following years, my curiosity about the idea grew, and I’ve since implemented it, consciously and unconsciously, into my life. Below are a few areas in which I’ve seen results.

THE BENEFITS OF DELAYING GRATIFICATION

Improved self-control.

Delayed gratification enhances productivity by fostering discipline. With time and practice, scheduling your favoured activities after completing the drudge ones exercises the muscle of self–control, which then spills over into and positively affects all other areas of your life.  

Better focus.

It’s almost as if whatever reward you have waiting for you at the end of the day/week/task/workout or whatever else you may be working your way through causes you to laser in and complete it in a far timelier manner than you typically would if you had any pleasurable distractions occupying your precious mental real estate. Could it be that our childhood incentives of TV after homework or gifts for good grades have had their intended effect?

Increased productivity.

This one speaks for itself. Better focus + improved self control = better output. The combination of the two can predictably build extreme competencies that can serve you well at work, fitness, academics, and anything that requires consistent and quality results.

Losing bad habits and developing good ones.

Bad habits can range from checking your phone every few minutes to full-blown addictions that can derail the course of your entire life. Delaying gratification can help to identify healthier coping mechanisms for short-term mood lifters and stimulators.

Better impulse control and emotional health.

In the relational realm, delaying gratification leads to heightened self-awareness, which can help you regulate your emotions. This improves reactional restraint, and, as many of us may already know, reactions are a key cause of conflict.

Produce quality work.

The urge to get your work out there or a project completed can cause you to sometimes rush through the final, most crucial steps. Pausing, breaking, and stepping away to regroup can massively contribute to adjusting your vision and eye for detail, which eventually improves the quality and excellence of your creation.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope what you have read has somehow educated, informed, or inspired you.

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