Suppose you are told you could have either two million dollars now or four later. Which would you choose ?. Whatever the reward, the choice is between a smaller reward — sooner and a greater reward — later.
So how do you decide?
The answer depends on your ability and desire to exercise self-control, so argues a recent paper published in the April issue of Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
The paper, which examines research on how to increase the ability to wait and the desire to wait, is summarized more or less below.
Increased ability to wait
Për të rritur aftësinë për të pritur dhe për të përmirësuar durimin, duhet ta bëni më të lehtë të qenit të duruar. Si? Këtu janë disa sugjerime:
Shqendroni veten. Nëse jeni ulur pranë telefonit duke pritur për një telefonatë, për shembull, ndizni televizorin, dëgjoni muzikë ose gjeni mënyra të tjera për të argëtuar dhe shpërqendruar veten.
Mos merrni vendime të mëdha në një gjendje nevoje (p.sh. kur ndjeheni të etur, të rraskapitur, në dhimbje). Për shembull, mos blini ushqime kur jeni të uritur ose mos i ktheni përgjigje një emaili kritik kur jeni të lodhur. Përndryshe, mund ta keni shumë të vështirë t'i rezistoni çdo gjëje që është menjëherë shpërblyese (p.sh.,blerja e ushqimit të padëshiruar, dërgimi i një përgjigjeje harbute në emailin kritik).
Commit yourself in advance to being patient. In other words, long before you face temptation, make the decision to wait for the greatest reward, later.
Use "reminders" for the steps you need to take to get the biggest reward. Without memories and without a plan, it becomes tempting to choose an immediate option.
Put yourself in a positive mood. Research shows that it is easier to be patient when you are happy than sad.
Rephrase the thing you expect in a way that reduces its emotional attraction. As you wait, say, for hot chocolate, reformulate it into a dark liquid - not a hot, sweet, creamy, and delicious drink.
Increased desire to wait
To improve patience by increasing the desire to wait, find ways to make the wait worthwhile. Are you? Note these:
1. Wait before making a choice.
2. Increase your level of confidence and confidence, the belief that you will receive the greatest reward if you are patient.
3. Improve your personal connection with your future self - with yourself who will benefit from your patience (whether for 10 days or 10 years).
Concluding remarks on the importance of self-control and patience
Willingness and self-control are associated with a range of positive outcomes, such as improved health, better relationships, and greater success in achieving goals.
It is often assumed that the ability to self-control is what matters most in making good decisions - in choosing between a smaller reward — sooner and a greater reward — later.
Burimi: Psychology Today
