Patience
Javed Naeem Virjee has over eight years of experience in financial audit and risk management, beginning his career at KPMG Tanzania. Currently, he leads the Internal Audit Department at a prominent financial services firm. Drawing on his extensive experience in managing comprehensive financial audits, Javed delves into the complexities of economics and finance in his column for the national newspaper, The Citizen. In addition to his professional endeavours, Javed is deeply committed to community service. He is an elected member of the KSIJ Dar Constitution Review Committee and has previously served as the Hon. Treasurer for the KSIJ Dar Tabligh Board.
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Patience
When you click on a webpage, and it takes longer than a few seconds to load; or worse, when your Netflix show suddenly stops and starts buffering? In our fast-paced world, these moments of delay, though brief, can feel like an eternity.
We are constantly surrounded by opportunities for quick rewards, making this, a deeply ingrained culture of instant gratification. This is shaping our behaviours, expectations, and even our mental health.
As we navigate a world increasingly dominated by technology and social media, we see the decline of patience and perseverance. This leaning towards instant gratification has significant implications for our attention spans, decision-making processes, and the way we approach life’s challenges in general.
The Cost of Constant Stimulation
Patience, an essential component of self-discipline, has become increasingly rare in an age where quick results are expected and arguably considered the norm.
Instant gratification is seen to impact our cognitive function; studies have shown that constant exposure to quick rewards can significantly reduce our attention spans. Since the year 2000, our attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds, making it shorter than that of a goldfish! This decline can partly be attributed to the rapid consumption of digital content, where the next piece of information is just a click away.
On average, people check their phones around 144 times a day. Such instant feedback fosters a habit of rapid context-switching, gradually reducing our ability to focus deeply on tasks. The lure of immediate rewards can lead to impulsive decision-making and when faced with choices, individuals may often choose the option that provides instant pleasure even if it may not be in their best long-term interest.
People with shorter attention spans could also struggle to engage and remain grounded – mentally and emotionally – in complexly demanding situations, contributing to increased stress levels and mental fatigue.
Social Media: A Catalyst for Instant Validation
Social media platforms have revolutionized how we interact and communicate; however, they also play a pivotal role in promoting a culture of instant validation. The “like” button has become the modern-day measure of self-worth with each notification triggering a dopamine release that reinforces our desire for immediate feedback. This is further supported by how our brains are wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain.
This can lead to an unhealthy obsession with online approval, where individuals associate their value with their digital interactions. The pressure to gain likes tends to overshadow the intrinsic value of learning and personal growth and as we become more accustomed to seeking quick validation online, we risk losing sight of the deeper connections in real-life interactions. This cycle of seeking and receiving instant validation erodes our patience and perseverance, making it challenging to pursue long-term goals.
How Patience Pays Off
Despite the allure of instant rewards, having the ability to be comfortable with delayed gratification is vital for achieving long-term success. This involves resisting immediate temptations for more substantial future benefits – a skill linked to higher levels of self-control and better decision-making.
How much do you believe in yourself?
The ability to delay gratification can be closely associated with self-control and discipline; those who master this skill often experience a boost in self-confidence as they successfully resist short-term temptations in recognition of significant long-term rewards.
When we achieve long-term goals through perseverance, we reinforce our belief in our capabilities. The psychological term for this is self-efficacy. Each time we resist the urge for instant gratification and stay committed to our objectives, we add to our sense of self-worth. This creates a positive feedback loop in our brains where increased self-confidence leads to further success, which in turn enhances our self-worth.
Do you stay true to yourself?
When we prioritise long-term goals over immediate pleasures, we demonstrate a commitment to our principles, values and aspirations. This alignment between our internal beliefs and external actions nurtures a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
For instance, choosing to save money for a significant investment rather than indulging in impulse buys not only enhances financial stability but also reinforces self-worth by demonstrating the ability to make thoughtful choices.
Individuals who can delay gratification are less likely to engage in impulsive behaviours that can lead to negative consequences, such as substance abuse or unhealthy relationships. Moreover, by exercising self-control, you build resilience against external pressures and cultivate a stronger sense of identity based on your values rather than fleeting desires.
What is your end goal?
The journey towards achieving long-term goals often involves overcoming challenges and setbacks. Delayed gratification illustrates the value of hard work and persistence, which are essential components of a meaningful achievement.
Success across various life domains, including education and career advancement, is not merely about reaching the end goal, but also about recognizing and celebrating the smaller victories along the way. Each step forward reinforces our sense of achievement and motivates us to continue striving for more.
How can I harness this power?
- Chart your unique path: Define your long-term objectives and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks to make the process less overwhelming, giving you a clear path to follow.
- Turn your attention inwards: Engage in mindfulness and meditation practices to improve focus and patience, helping you become more aware of your impulses and better equipped to manage them.
- Reward yourself frequently: Consider creating a system of small rewards for achieving milestones along the way to help maintain motivation and make the journey towards your goals more enjoyable.
- Learn to be bored: Embrace moments without reaching for your phone or other distractions to enhance your capacity for deep thinking and creativity.
- Build habits for tomorrow: Incorporate habits that promote delayed gratification, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and consistent sleep patterns – this can improve your overall well-being and self-control.
By cultivating delayed gratification, we can reclaim control over our lives and foster deeper connections with ourselves and others. In doing so, we achieve our goals and develop a better understanding of ourselves and our capabilities, allowing us to live more fulfilling lives rooted in purpose and resilience.
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