Coping with Instant Gratification

Library

Continuous partial attentionand instant gratification. Two traits that have become the signature traits of the 21st Century — and we are all the poorer for it. Correspondingly, self-regulation and sustained focus have become invaluable superpowers, as much research has confirmed. Do you want to hone this skill?

Coping with Instant Gratification

December 12, 2022

Coping with Instant Gratification

Continuous partial attentionand instant gratification. Two traits that have become the signature traits of the 21st Century — and we are all the poorer for it. Correspondingly, self-regulation and sustained focus have become invaluable superpowers, as much research has confirmed. Do you want to hone this skill?

Recognise that most desires are fleeing

You do not really need to stop what you are doing in order to rewatch that YouTube video that just popped up in your mind.

Wait for 3 minutes

Next time, when you notice you feel that you want to interrupt yourself and do something else, look at the time. Wait 3 minutes to give in to it and resume whatever you are concentrating on.

Notice your feelings, again

Did you surpass the 3 minutes? Did you count every second, or did you just continue focussing as you lost the urge to do that other thing? If you still feel like switching, just do it now. But there is a good chance you no longer feel you desire to do that other thing.

Reflect and energize

Not everything you desire is what you actually want, let alone need. Sometimes what pops up in our minds is important, but more often than not it is just a fleeting distraction. One we act upon too often after years of tech conditioning us every waking moment to follow instant gratification.

Full Text