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Instant Gratification – How Get Over “I Want It Now!”

 

Experiencing instant gratification? Here are 5 simple steps to help you delay wanting things RIGHT NOW (patience required!)

 

 

Ah my friend, do you ever suffer from a case of “I WANT IT NOW?”

In our fast-paced world, giving in to instant gratification has become easy. You switch on the TV and can now binge-watch an entire season or two of Melrose Place, rather than having to patiently wait a week for the next episode to be released.

We want results, and we want them now. But unfortunately, this desire for instant gratification leads to unfulfilling results and wasted time.

 

 

 

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

 

So how do we learn to become more patient, in a world where we can have almost anything we want at the click of a button.

These expectations of instant results often lead to financial problems (because we want that thing NOW!) and feelings of dissatisfaction (because we haven’t got what we wanted soon enough).

To break free from instant gratification, it’s important that we change our perspective and focus on our long-term goals, instead of short-term wants. This potentially sounds easier than what it feels like to action so let me give you some helpful tips.

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

 

Here are 4 tips to help you overcome instant gratification:

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

1-Identify the reason why you want it so bad.

 

Once upon a time everything moved at a slower pace. We had no choice but to wait and then maybe wait and wait some more.

But fast forward to the 2020s and we can quickly send a text or steam a movie without any buffering, or find any information with just a few clicks. (Unlike me – I had to wait for the weekend to go to the library and hopefully find a book that answered my question for me).

 

Part of the reason why we want things to happen immediately is because we have gotten used to lots of things happening straight away.

Even still, take a moment to ask yourself why you really need to react so quickly in this specific situation? Is it absolutely necessary or urgent? (The answer is most likely, no!)

 

  • What if it was okay NOT to get an immediate yes or make an immediate purchase etc. We live in a world where we constantly receive information and stimuli. This can be overwhelming, so the key to simplify our life is to SLOW IT DOWN.

 

  • Thanks to technology, we’re used to getting what we want immediately. If purchasing something that is ESSENTIAL straight away makes sense because it saves you time, then go for it. However not everything we buy is a true need.

 

  • Instant gratification feels good. We get a dopamine hit when we receive something quickly, so our brains increasingly crave that feeling. But just because it momentarily feels good doesn’t mean that’s IT’S RIGHT or that you won’t later regret the decision or purchase.

 

 

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

2-Evaluate purchases you wish to make.

 

My suggestion above was to SLOW THINGS DOWN and this applies aptly when it comes to making more expensive purchases. I recommend waiting a week or two before making any purchases over, say, $100 (that are just a WANT and not a true need).

What you might be surprised to discover when you delay the purchase is that you – shock horror – didn’t really need that new outfit or gadget that you salivating over and your money might be better kept in the bank.

 

  • Instead of focusing on the materialistic items you want, be grateful for everything you already have.

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

3-Set “cool-off” periods for technology.

 

Similar to delaying purchases, you can also set a cool-off period before touching your phone, social media, TV, and so on. Most of us instantly reach for our phones when we are bored so this is the best place to start when it comes to delaying instant gratification.

 

  • You can set some clear boundaries re: when you will use your devices. For example, set your phone outside your bedroom and promise not to touch your phone until after completing your morning routine. Or make sure to charge it in another room or out of your reach when you sleep at night.

 

  • Intentionally challenge yourself not to reach for your phone immediately when it You aren’t a puppy or lab rat that needs to immediately react to the sound of a bell. Give yourself a self-imposed 5- or 10-minute delay before grabbing it.

 

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

4 – Start a hobby.

 

Weird suggestion I know but what I’ve discovered over the years is that it’s so easy to get into a natural flow when you have a hobby you love (so you aren’t constantly looking outside for entertainment). Hobbies give you a creative outlet to develop your skills, while also acting as a healthy distraction from the things that try to steal your attention.

 

  • Hobbies such as writing, craft, art, sewing and sports give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Plus, it can help reduce stress and provide an outlet for creativity.

 

  • If you want something to do in your free time that re-focuses your energy, try gardening, drawing, painting, learning a new language, and so on (anything that you feel secretly curious to try).

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

5-Set small goals and celebrate when you reach them.

 

When setting goals, it’s lovely to want to achieve your results ASAP but make sure you also take the time to enjoy the journey. Learn to appreciate the process, each day and every day, because joy is often found in the little moments in life (not just the big ones).

 

  • Each time you reach a goal, celebrate your achievement, no matter how big or small. The act of setting goals and celebrating your successes can help to boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. It can also motivate you to keep going.
  • Long-term goals can also become a key to overcoming the trap of instant gratification because you know that it won’t necessarily happen overnight. Besides the work is the reward.

 

 

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

 

With all this being said, I think it’s important to know that instant gratification can be overcome when you understand the reason why it happens in the first place.

Then challenge yourself to WAIT, SLOW DOWN and cool-off before you react to the dings, buzzes, and urges that tempt you in your everyday life. Easy? Maybe not. But worth it? Definitely!

 

Remember discipline is like a muscle – it may be challenging at first, but the more you practice these tips, the easier it will get – I promise!

Much love,

Frances Vidakovic  xxx

 

 

 

 

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