Delayed Gratification: A Gift To My Future Self

Most of us have heard of the famous Marshmallow Study, which demonstrated that children who could delay gratification by waiting for a second marshmallow, rather than consuming the first one immediately, tended to have more successful outcomes later in life.

This study underscores the concept that delayed gratification is key to success in every aspect of our lives.

If all we do is gift our future selves with the actions today that will bring the rewards and results we want tomorrow, success will inevitably follow.

For example, this week, after a long workday, followed by family responsibilities such as hockey, dentist appointments, etc., I will take the last hour of my day to get the coffee ready and clean and stage my house so it looks like no one actually lives here! With two golden retrievers, two teenagers, and a husband, that is no small feat. Despite being tired, I do this simply so I can wake up extra early, hit a button for hot coffee, and enjoy a moment of quiet and peace in a fully staged, peaceful home.

It is a gift I give to my future self, and every morning, I thank my past self for always going above and beyond to make my days better. “Thanks Susie for always thinking of me!” I will sometimes even whisper to myself. This is what it means to champion and care for ourselves.

What gift do you routinely give your future self?