Why Instant Gratification is the Reason You’re Unhappy

Most of us in the world today are lucky enough to have all of our basic survival needs met. This paves the way for a new breed of day-to-day problems, which are only compounded by living in the era of consumerism. Industries work tirelessly to offer consumers better technology, medicine, entertainment, and “better” food.

We identify happiness with buying and owning – but – there’s no shame in owning nice things.

So what’s the problem?

It’s that the majority rely solely on these things in order to feel good. It’s a fleeting kind of happiness that quickly flutters to the next object of desire; and we’re all familiar with it.

Obtaining something that’s immediately within reach is very gratifying, and certainly fulfilling to a certain extent.

A pertinent question to ask ourselves then is, what gets put on the back burners while we’re preoccupied with grabbing low hanging fruit?

Food and Instant Gratification

I refer to my last blog, Is Healthy Eating Inconvenient for You?, where I quoted success expert Brain Tracy in saying;

“Successful people are disciplined in doing what unsuccessful people don’t like to do, when it has to be done”

It’s pretty darn awesome how one simple statement sums it all up. Success is indeed a choice, not a quality, in the form of discipline.

A lack of discipline in this vain translates to devouring a fat slice of triple chocolate mousse cake, chugging down that ice cold beer, or stopping in at a fast food outlet after a crappy day at work. A decadent form of instant gratification.

The problem is, instant gratification becomes an addiction and before you know it, it’s the only kind of gratification you know. Sound familiar?

Are you at war with saying no to the cookies calling your name from the pantry?  Do you feel like you’re trapped in a vicious cycle?

If your answer is yes, do not despair. We’ve all fallen into this trap in one form or another. It’s human nature. But you CAN conquer it with discipline.

The bad news – self-discipline is a lifelong practise. While you do get better at it, it never quite becomes second nature.

The good news – there is plenty gratification to be had in restraining yourself and practising discipline. More importantly, it’s the lasting kind.

Self-discipline increases self-respect and self-worth. Just to add the cherry on top; discipline leads to achieving long term goals. Achieving long term goals makes us feel truly happy and fulfilled.

It’s only fair to consider that the tasty, fattening food you’re eating for kicks is actually what’s making you unhappy.

Your lack of discipline is making you unhappy. There’s really nothing more to it.

Okay, so how do I suddenly start being disciplined after months or years of negligence?

Breaking a bad habit is something most of us have wrestled with at least once in our life. These are some pointers to help get you on the road to discipline, and ultimately, success:

• Don’t adopt an ‘all or nothing’ mentality towards this feat. You’re definitely going to screw up. And when you do, it’s really important that you suck it up and try again.
• Don’t use your failures as an excuse to quit! Choose success.
• Change the way you think about your old habits. Those habits were making you fat, unhealthy, or both. You wouldn’t choose to serve a lifetime jail sentence. Why would you choose to imprison yourself in an uncomfortable, heavy body?
• You have to want to choose discipline and success over junk food and failure. You have to envision your ultimate goal as what will make you truly happy. Perhaps most importantly, you have to be at peace with that decision.
• You absolutely have to realise that you are not depriving yourself of anything. You’re doing precisely the opposite.
• You have to believe that you are worth having what you want. And go after it like an enraged bull.

You will be AMAZED at how your mentality can shift from what it is now, to a positive state that seems to naturally gain momentum. If only you are willing to take the first steps forward and SIMPLY DO what has to be done.