To achieve something great, you have to be willing to sacrifice things that you want in the present moment. You have to be able to delay gratification and put in the hard work now in order to achieve your long-term goals. This is not an easy thing to do, but it is necessary if you want to be successful.
Why Is Delaying Gratification So Hard?
Delaying gratification is hard because it goes against our natural instincts. We are programmed to seek out immediate pleasure and avoid pain. This is known as the “pleasure principle.” When we see something that we want, our brain releases a chemical called dopamine which gives us a feeling of pleasure. This reinforces the idea that we should seek out things that give us immediate pleasure.
However, in order to achieve our long-term goals, we often have to do things that are not immediately pleasurable. We have to study for exams instead of watching TV. We have to save money instead of spending it. And we have to eat healthy food instead of junk food. These things may not be pleasurable at the moment, but they are necessary if we want to achieve our goals.
The ability to delay gratification is a critical life skill. It allows us to set aside our immediate desires to achieve something greater. If you can learn to delay gratification, you will be more likely to achieve your long-term goals.
Giving Up on Dreams
So many people give up on their dreams because they are not willing to put in the hard work required to make them a reality. They would rather stay in their comfort zone and settle for mediocrity. But if you are willing to discipline yourself and make sacrifices, you can achieve anything you want in life.
Just remember that it takes time and effort to make your dreams come true. Don’t give up, and eventually, you will reach your goals.
How To Stick with It
The key to sticking with your goals is to have a strong why. Why are you doing this? What is your motivation? If your why is strong enough, it will be easier for you to overcome the urge to give up.
It’s also important to remind yourself of your long-term goal. When you feel like giving up, think about why you started in the first place. What are you trying to achieve? This will help you stay focused and motivated.
Finally, it’s important to have a support system. Tell your friends and family about your goals. This will help to hold you accountable and keep you on track.
If you can stick with it, you will achieve anything you set your mind to. Just remember that discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.