delayed gratification
Resist now, gain
Delayed gratification is the ability to resist an immediate reward in favor of a later, often larger one.
The concept is central to discussions of self-control, financial planning, and child development: Saving for retirement requires delayed gratification.
The famous "marshmallow test" measured children's capacity for delayed gratification by offering one treat now or two if they waited.
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- restraintControl over impulses
- self-regulationManaging one's own behavior
- impulse controlRegulating sudden urges
temperance · moderation · self-discipline · self-mastery · perseverance · determination · fortitude · abstinence
Self-control study with sweets
- executive functionCognitive self-management abilities
- prefrontal cortexBrain's planning and impulse center
- impulseSudden urge to act
- reward pathwayNeural circuit mediating pleasure
behavioral economics · self-efficacy · maturity · emotional regulation · decision-making
Deploying capital for returns
- savingsAccumulated money kept
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- compound interestReturns on reinvested earnings
- financial independenceWealth sustaining indefinite living
college fund · pension · 401(k) · estate planning · budgeting · goal-setting · strategy · foresight
State of fulfilled desires
- fulfillmentState of achieved purpose
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- successFavorable outcome attained
goal · milestone · benefit · gain · outcome · accomplishment · return · dividend
Calm during delays
- postponementDelaying to later
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
tolerance · composure · equanimity · serenity · calmness · resilience · poise · sangfroid
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- restraintControl over impulses
- self-regulationManaging one's own behavior
impulse control · temperance · moderation · self-discipline · self-mastery · perseverance · determination · fortitude · abstinence · prudence
marshmallow test
Self-control study with sweets
- executive functionCognitive self-management abilities
- prefrontal cortexBrain's planning and impulse center
- impulseSudden urge to act
reward pathway · behavioral economics · self-efficacy · maturity · emotional regulation · decision-making
investment
Deploying capital for returns
- savingsAccumulated money kept
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- compound interestReturns on reinvested earnings
financial independence · college fund · pension · 401(k) · estate planning · budgeting · goal-setting · strategy · foresight · preparation
satisfaction
State of fulfilled desires
- fulfillmentState of achieved purpose
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- payoffCulminating benefit received
success · goal · milestone · benefit · gain · outcome · accomplishment · return · dividend · bonus
patience
Calm during delays
- postponementDelaying to later
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- longingIntense, persistent desire
expectation · tolerance · composure · equanimity · serenity · calmness · resilience · poise · sangfroid · biding time
- pleasurepleasure, enjoyment, delight, contentment, satisfaction
- money managementsaving, savings, budgeting, budget planning, expense tracking
- frugalityfrugality, thrift, frugal, penny-pinching, economize
- life lessonslesson learned, moral, lessons learned, life lessons, parable
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
- self-disciplineself-discipline, self-control, self-regulation, restraint, impulse control
delayed gratificationinstant gratification
Satisfaction without delay
immediate gratification · short-termism · living in the moment · seizing the day · impatience
delayed gratificationimpulsivity
Acting without considering consequences
self-indulgence · impatience · hedonism · impulsiveness · recklessness
delayed gratificationimpatience
Intolerance of delay
frustration · dissatisfaction · short-sightedness · myopia · restlessness
delay, delayed, delaying, gratify, gratified, delays, gratifying, gratification, deferment