Using Instant Gratification to Reach Your Goals
I am a big fan of instant gratification. But then, who isn’t?
Even though we all like it, the term instant gratification usually comes with a negative connotation. Often, we view the desire for immediate pleasure as something that gets us in trouble, or keeps us from reaching our long term goals. It is true that living only for pleasure right this moment probably won’t work in the long run. However, instant gratification can be used as a valuable tool toward reaching your goals.
Take weight loss as an example. Typically, failure to shed pounds boils down to an individual consistently going for instant rather than delayed gratification. Choosing brownies over brocolli. TV over the gym. French fries over apple dippers. You get the picture. By making these choices repeatedly, you step further and further away from your goal (in this example, to lose weight).
Now that we have touched on the bad, bad, bad side of instant gratification, let’s explore how the pursuit of instant pleasure might actually help you reach your goals. It’s simple. The key here is to look for sources of instant gratification that directly result from the actions you must take to reach your goal . They are there, I guarantee it.
I made a list as I was trying to motivate myself to get back on track with my weight loss. The list includes:
- The instant energy and adrenaline that comes after a good workout.
- Sore muscles that I know I worked hard to achieve (and that are working hard for me as they repair and rebuild).
- Runners high
- Hearing and moving to the upbeat music in weight lifting class
- Knowing that if I keep going with what I am doing, more of my clothes will soon be fitting and looking better on me.
- Seeing myself differently, even on day one of following my plan.
- Enjoying food more.
- Never feeling uncomfortably full.
- Knowing that the way I am living is something I will be happy I did in the future
- Knowing that I am setting a good example for my kids
- Being really tired at bedtime because I got up early to exercise
- Sleeping well
The things on my list may not strike you as sources of instant gratification at first, but to me, they genuinely are. They all feel good (some physically, some mentally) and they all happen immediately as I follow specific steps on my weight loss plan. Keep in mind, this technique can be applied to any long term goal you may be working toward.
So,
Instead of focusing on the deprivation and sacrifice required to reach a goal, try focusing on the things that feel good along the way. Maximize your pleasure and enjoy the journey. It will be a lot easier to stick to something if you are actually enjoying it as you go.
Note: If you liked this article, you may want to check out Delayed Gratification and the Feel Good Factor.
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September 8th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
You mean there is good in everything?
wow…
Yes, I completely agree with you on finding the positive and “pleasures” hidden within your goals.
Applying this concept is easier than most would think and being proactive even becomes a little fun.
For example; setting a goal to read to your children EVERY night might seem a little too overwhelming especially when you come home tired or don’t have enough energy.
So you would have to look at the positives such as;
*The future reading skills of your kids
*Their appreciation for reading
*The benefits reading will give them
Seeing these instead of seeing the hassle or how tiring it might be at night will help to achieve your goals.
Thanks.
September 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
You have pointed out a very good argument for reading to your kids, as far as future results go… the satisfaction that you are providing this future to them could be considered instant gratification. I can think of lots of other ways to find instant pleasure while reading to your kids: the physical closeness that happens as a side effect, observing your child enjoy the book, laughing together, etc.
Hmmm, I think I will go read to my kids now.
Thanks for your comment.
September 8th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Reading in two language could affect your kids learning
September 9th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
The correct link is:
http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html
September 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Ignore my last comment. I am encouraging people on Priscilla’s list ot post the list….you already have. Thanks for that.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Great post. I’ve never really heard those concepts before, but I agree with it all.
And sometimes just the feeling of doing something difficult is gratitude enough… but we often don’t realize it until afterwards.
Matthew
http://www.InspirationToAchieve.com
September 12th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
The instant gratification was one of the reasons why I wrote for a newspaper. Readers’ reactions were instantaneous. I would get emails the day my articles were published. I would hear comments when walking past others reading the paper. It wasn’t like most fields where it takes years to receive recognition, promotions, evaluations, or advice on how you can improve. I am all about the instant.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
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September 14th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
oh, i love it when people look at things from a different perspective! what a great idea. the instant gratification that i get from sticking to my food plan is that i feel proud of myself when i get to report to my buddy that i haven’t done anything unhealthy.
September 15th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Jessica- like writing for a newspaper, there are similar sources of instant gratification for blogging. I also thrive on instant feedback…
Isabella- Thank you for chiming in! Isn’t it amazing how looking at things a different way can be such a powerful tool?
September 15th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
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September 21st, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I love it! I have recently been exploring this idea about instant gratification so I was quick to click on your link when I saw it on the Carnival.
I have been trying to be aware of how I feel immediately after I eat something “unhealthy”. What I have found is that when I eat something sweet such as chocolate I am instantly thirsty and I feel bloated soon after, and this feeling lasts for a long time. By becoming aware of this it makes me less likely to indulge, it is like the opposite of instant gratification…it is instant dissatisfaction.
Thanks for the great article, I will mention it in my blog today.
Becky
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:48 pm
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September 26th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
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October 1st, 2007 at 7:13 pm
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October 1st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I really like your list of positive gratification. I understand the Runner’s High and the sore muscles. They always make me feel great. I have a harder time achieving the Positive gratification for eating healthy. I need to change my thinking about how “comfort foods” really affect the body. Thank you for contributing your article to Fitness for Moms Blog Carnival.
October 28th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Instant Gratification to Reach Your Goals Advice on Marriage, Life and More : Plain Advice, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.