Despite the numerous ways in which technology has made this world a better place, it has had some impact on human behavior as well. One of those is that it has made the world of today impatient. Google, Alexa, and Siri can provide answers to most questions in seconds. Online shopping has made travel to brick and mortar stores rare. Companies are now competing on delivery times - from 2-day shipping to 1-day shipping to same-day shipping. We don't want to travel to a store to buy or rent a DVD anymore... we rather stream shows live. The need for instant gratification is intense. But has this rapid change in recent times impacted us and if it has, then how?
Instant Gratification and the bias it causes:
In simple terms, instant gratification is the need to get what you want - right away, even if it means forgoing something that will be more beneficial in the long run. But the need to have immediate results makes us biased. This bias sabotages our long term welfare over the short term fleeting happiness.
Pause and think about the following statements below:
Would we indulge in burgers and fries if we were to gain 20 pounds immediately after the eating spree?
Would we smoke a cigarette if every time we finish one, we would have to visit a hospital?
Would we spend $5 on a cup of coffee now and then if we were shown how much we would make if we were to invest instead?
Would we hang out with our friends the night before an exam if we knew that we would fail the next day?
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The answer is most likely going to be no. Yet we still indulge in activities which lead to less than desired results in the future. Why?
Over several thousands of years, humans evolved in a way that prioritizes the short term over the long term. Short term thinking was vital for survival. Humans had to hunt and gather, escape from harsh weather, maybe escape from a predator - all of which were short term needs.
The human brain has been around for 200,000 years. The industrial revolution and the technology boom, on the other hand, is barely a few hundred years old. The times have changed rapidly but our brains function in the same old ways prioritizing the present over the future.
Humans also tend to fear uncertainty and feel safe and comfortable when they are in control. The future is uncertain and not guaranteed - hence the need for immediate results in the present over the future. The ability to vividly imagine a better future is a sign of social maturity. Unfortunately, not everyone is that imaginative.
The instant gratification bias has made us alarmingly impatient. We go to the gym for a week and expect results. We want a 6-pack in 6 days. We eat a salad twice a week and hope for weight loss. We order food and get irritated if it takes an hour to be delivered.We swipe people left and right on dating apps skipping and replacing what could have been a gutsy (maybe embarrassing and awkward) 1st conversation.
So how do we fight the need for instant gratification?
There may be several ways to do this but here is what I think works best -
- Break long term goals into several short term goals - Long term goals might not be the best way to keep us motivated. Short term goals and their achievement release dopamine in our body. This chemical helps us stay on track and stay motivated. (I recommend Simon Sinek's book 'Leaders Eat Last'. In the book, Simon talks about the effect of chemicals on the human body extensively)
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- Develop self-discipline - “Discipline is being able to force yourself to do something, in spite of how you feel, over and over until it becomes a habit.”– Kim Brenneman. Discipline is the strongest form of self-love. Envision and promise yourself a better future and then commit to it. The stronger the vision of your future, the stronger will be your commitment towards attaining it.
- Practice patience - 'Patience is a virtue'. The quote has its roots from a late 14th-century poem but it is applicable even today. Good things take time. Put in the efforts. Remember - Easy come, easy go!
- Optimize your Environment - Surround yourself with winners and you will be a winner. Jac Vanek once said “You are the books you read, the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, and the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these.” So surround yourself with better people; people who have self discipline and self control - those who don't fall for the illusion of instant gratification.
For more on some interesting topics, go through Tim Urban's blog 'Wait but Why'. Tim's ability to explain complex ideas is truly exceptional. He breaks down complex issues through art. Here is the article on instant gratification by him - you will love it.
