Imagine this. You go to a fast food chain and ordered your favorite chicken meal. What do you usually eat first? The meat or the crispy skin of the chicken? I know most of my friends do eat the chicken first and enjoy the tasty crisp of the skin. They say “Save the best for last!” This eating pattern is one idea of how we delay gratification, though the logic of eating chicken in itself does not give more value of the comparison since chicken meat itself tastes good too, but I hope you understand my point.
When we were younger, our parents and teachers discipline us through the concept of Delaying Gratification. Remember the time when your parents won’t give you your candy if you haven’t cleaned your room? or challenged you to buy you your favorite toy if you get good grades in your test?
I remember one time when I was in Grade 5 and was chosen to be one of the finalist for the school’s “Battle of the Brains” in SHS-Ateneo de Cebu. 3 of us were chosen to compete for the class. We weren’t the kids from the “smart section” so we didn’t mind if we win or not, but we prepared and studied basic knowledge of a few subjects.
My papa challenged me that he will reward me with 5,000.00 pesos if we won champion. I was aiming for the money, so I tried to do research. I thought for a while “Does he really think we won’t win that’s why he’s rewarding me with that big money?”
Long story short, we won champion. The fifth grader me got his cold 5,000 pesos cash. A huge money for my age. My papa dropped his jaw when I showed him my gold medal when I went home. “We’re Champion. Give me my money!” I teasingly told my papa. It was during that time when I valued more the reward system. At first I really didn’t mind, but when my papa offered me a reward, my focus changed – and it was a good feeling. Having something after a job well done.
When I grew up and earned my own money, I honestly lost that concept for a while. It’s easy to buy things or do things if you earn your money. You all have the freedom and the control, which makes it hard for discipline. As I grew older and my priorities and responsibilities have changed, I started to revisit this concept, now with a defined term – Delaying Gratification.
It was hard at first, but as soon as I try to discipline myself with this concept of “Suffer now, Enjoy later” concept, I felt challenged in a good way. That I know I can afford it now, but I will wait for the right time for me to enjoy it. It was a struggle until it became a habit.
I always reward myself for every finished projects or assignments I do. Maybe a movie at the end of the week, a weekend trip or dine in a good restaurant. It is always a rewarding feeling that for every stressful week or day, and as soon as you finish your work, you give yourself a pat on your back, treat yourself and say “I deserve this.” But with caution that you don’t over limit how you treat yourself. Treat yourself in moderation, because Discipline comes in pairs.
But I can’t deny that I sometimes struggle from it. I occasionally do things in a single whim just because of an unwanted day – we’re humans, we also have days when we are down – but every time I feel blue, I always promise myself to go back on track. That’s the important thing – to always get back on your focus.
We’re not late to change for the better. Delaying Gratification thought me a lot about self-discipline – the most important ingredient to success as told by a number of successful leaders. Change your focus to be better. You can do it.
