From an evolutionary standpoint, it is human nature to seek instant gratification rather than wait for it, and many aspects of the consumerist culture today serve to perpetuate this tendency. But people can get into trouble when they give in to this need too often or incorrectly.
Relying too much on instant gratification at the expense of building something worthwhile over time is a common pitfall of short-term validation bias. The advice you’re about to read might be helpful if you’re trying to control or moderate your need for immediate satisfaction.
What is instant gratification?
Forgoing short-term pain in favor of temporary pleasures that lead to long-term suffering is known as instant gratification. To paraphrase, you may know something is crucial to your long-term success, but you always find a reason to avoid it due to the suffering it creates today.
Procrastination is a common way people seek instant satisfaction. It’s self-defeating to give in to short-term pleasures instead of working toward long-term objectives.
8 ways to overcome instant gratification
Following these guidelines will help you form routines that put long-term objectives ahead of short-term ones, which is essential to overcome the tendency to seek immediate pleasure.
1. Establish your objectives
Beginning with a general idea of your destination is an excellent place to start. Life’s distractions are easy to navigate when you do not know where you’re going or what you aim to achieve.
If you develop a strategy to reach your goals and realize your vision, you can keep yourself disciplined and focused on the road ahead. Knowing what you want to achieve will help you identify your vision.
2. Track down challenges
You will encounter numerous obstacles as you strive to make your future dreams a reality. Some of these problems will undoubtedly shock you in surprising ways. And if you’re not ready to face them, you can always give in to fleeting pleasures that bring you temporary solace.
Simply put, these pleasures will divert your attention from your problems. You can never tell when issues may arise because they are often unexpected. Still, concerns are manageable if you can avoid the distractions that will pop up.
3. Engage your support system
Establishing a strong support structure is highly beneficial if you wish to avoid falling into the trap of instant gratification. When you’re going through tough times, these folks will be there to help.
You won’t have much luck getting where you want to go until you have a robust support system. These are the people who can help you get your problems solved faster. You may depend on them to ensure that you stay focused. In addition, they will keep an eye on you to make sure that the transient pleasures that life inevitably offers don’t derail you.
4. Define your limits
Right now, more than ever, it is critical to establish limits on what you will do and will not do. When boundaries aren’t set, giving in to desires is straightforward. On the other hand, having well-defined rules on what you can and cannot do will help you feel more in charge of your life.
However, you will no longer partake in these behaviors. Remember the advantages and pleasures you’ll reap in the long run if you can avoid these temptations.
5. Develop a reward system
To keep yourself motivated in the long term, devise a system of rewards. Recognize your achievement in avoiding distractions rather than rewarding yourself for your deeds.
To break the tendency to seek instant gratification, you could treat yourself to a short-lived pleasure once you’ve concentrated on your most important tasks for a whole week. But don’t stop moving forward with your plan after you’ve collected your prize.
6. Acknowledge your needs
You may fall into a vicious cycle of seeking instant gratification occasionally, partly because you are unaware you are doing it. It’s easy to give in to impulsive behavior and act impulsively, particularly in this modern era. Recognizing when you’re about to give in to an impulse could help you gain control over this tendency.
A mindfulness practice, which aims to help you become more present with your thoughts without attaching any judgment to them, is one way to accomplish this. By training yourself to pause when you want to check your phone, snack, or start a show, you may be able to control cravings.
7. Set small delays
A decisive action might be as simple as restraining yourself from giving in to your desires. For example, you may wait a few hours after a shipment arrives in the mail before checking your phone. Making small attempts to resist the want to obtain rewards immediately will help you establish control over these kinds of behaviors.
8. Consider the consequences
The practice of seeking instant satisfaction isn’t inherently wrong, but it might have unintended consequences occasionally, mainly, if it’s chronic and long-lasting. Try to note how you feel after doing something good — you may feel sick after eating poorly or guilty after buying something you can’t afford online.
Considering or writing down these outcomes may assist you in deciding whether to gratify or wait for them immediately. Doing it sometimes will make you more conscious and knowledgeable about it.
Break the cycle of instant gratification
While satisfying an impulse feels excellent at the time, the long-term advantages of self-control are far more significant. Not only will your health improve, but you will also experience personal growth. If you apply much of the advice above to your life, you’ll discover many new ways to achieve.
