Delayed Gratification

Delayed Gratification is the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate satisfaction in the hope of obtaining a valuable or personally satisfying reward in the long term. This requires the ability to attend to the intellectual aspects of the reward rather than the emotional aspects, foregoing immediate pleasures in the anticipation of a later prize. It is our ability to inhibit our impulses and exercise self -control, making us more accountable.

Delayed Gratification is an essential ingredient for cultivating healthy habits, nurturing self-discipline, building relationships with others, pursuing academic goals, sustaining a job and building a career. It also plays a key role in cooperative decision-making enhancing our ability to work together to attain commonly accepted goals.

Delayed Gratification in Action The person will be able to:

• set and pursue long term goals.
• persist at learning or doing something even if it turns out to be difficult or challenging.
• make and follow through plans.
• prioritise others' needs in relationships by deferring their own for the time being.
• demonstrate dedication towards a greater goal or a vision for the future, for themselves as well as others.
• demonstrate patience and accountability in their actions
• display motivation to try again and harder in the event of failure or setbacks.
• take risks and demonstrate trust, in self and others.