Delayed gratification, also known as deferred gratification, refers to the ability to resist the temptation of an immediate pleasure in the hope of obtaining a valuable and long-lasting reward in the long-term. It is the process of resisting a smaller but more immediate reward in order to receive a larger or more enduring reward later. Delayed gratification is associated with prioritizing a long-term goal over an immediately achievable one. It is a skill that can be developed and is present in highly successful people.
Examples of delayed gratification include forgoing large purchases to save for a vacation, skipping dessert to lose weight, or taking a job that will help your career later on. Delaying gratification is the reverse of delay discounting, which is the preference for smaller immediate rewards over larger but delayed rewards.
Delayed gratification is important because it allows individuals to consider risks versus rewards and make better decisions. It is linked to impulse control, and those with high impulse control typically excel at delayed gratification. Delayed gratification is a muscle that can be grown, and it is an essential life skill that can help individuals achieve their goals.
There are challenges to delayed gratification, such as the fact that tomorrow is not guaranteed, and receiving a smaller reward now may be more desirable than a larger reward later. However, the ability to hold out for a better reward later is an essential life skill that can be improved with practice.
To improve delayed gratification, individuals can employ techniques such as setting goals, creating a plan, and visualizing the future reward. The ability to delay gratification is not a predetermined trait, but rather is impacted by the experiences and environment that surround individuals.
