Why is “delayed gratification” important to Career Success?

I would say, delayed gratification is the manifestation of our self-control and self-restraint. Only those who are able to discipline themselves will avoid binge eating, unhealthy snacks, impulses and temptations. Also, delayed gratification is highly associated with the ability to bear uncertainty.

Greatness, Patience and Success

Rationalize frustrations for the big goals. Career success and interpersonal relationships demand time to nurture love and trust. Coach Wooden says that “I have patience and on the other side I have faith.” He viewed patience as an essential factor in achieving success. Greatness takes time. Patience is the key to success.

Tremendous Cost of Impatience

As people seek instant reward or instant gratification, they are more likely to make regretful decisions. Impatience clouds our judgments and stops us from making thoughtful sound decisions. Being impatient, we tend to make short-sighted decisions.

Impatience will develop into a habit or even a personal trait, so is patience. It’s worth noting that impatience potentially leads to irritability.

People who lack patience have little tolerance for frustration and more likely to suffer from depression. Thus, people who lack patience are more easily to quit what they want out of life. As a person gives up all the things he/she does care, he/she loses energy, enthusiasm and hope unconsciously or lot. Patience gives us hope and courage to fight for the things we want out of life. Impatience occurs due to lack of understanding, wisdom and insight.

Patience helps nurture persistence, motivation and stay hopeful during the hard times. Patience ensures increased satisfaction in life. Being patient helps us staying out of negative emotions. Patience increases our tolerance for frustrations.

People have difficulty waiting patiently for what they want out of life, such as success in business. Due to the mainstream mass media, the general public tends to believe in early success or easy success. It takes time or even years to master a certain skill. Expertise and career success don’t accomplish overnight. It takes time to develop and actualize a new project.

Be Patient with Little Progress.

Margaret W. Lavigne

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Originally published at Wise Library 1985.