Play The Long Game
Lesson 19: Delayed Gratification Builds Long-Term Success.
In a world that glorifies quick wins and immediate results, the ability to delay gratification is a rare but transformative skill. Playing the long game means choosing patience, consistency, and forward-thinking over shortcuts and fleeting rewards. It’s about focusing on sustainable success and deeper fulfilment rather than instant but shallow victories.
As I approach my 30th birthday, I’ve reflected on the numerous opportunities and decisions I’ve faced. While not every decision was forward-thinking, the instances where I chose delayed gratification have proven to be profoundly rewarding.
About four years ago, I was offered a role that seemed like an excellent step up from my current position. Coincidentally, I had been eyeing the role and knew I could deliver. Yet, I had an undeniable feeling that it wasn’t the right move for me, even though I couldn’t pinpoint why. I declined, trusting that something better was ahead. A few months later, I was offered an even greater opportunity—one that surpassed my expectations. That experience taught me the value of resisting quick wins, even when they seemed promising.
While not every decision I’ve made has been guided by delayed gratification—there have been times I’ve sought quick wins—I’ve learned to assess my choices carefully. Each moment of waiting and preparation reinforces the value of “doing the time.”
We’re often tempted by instant gratification—whether it’s opting for comfort over effort, spending instead of saving, or chasing trends instead of building expertise. However, most meaningful achievements are the result of steady progress, resilience, and a clear vision for the future.
How to Play the Long Game
- Define Your End Goal: Be clear on your long-term aspirations to avoid being swayed by temporary distractions. A clear goal acts as your compass, helping you prioritize what truly matters over momentary urges. If you dream of owning a home, create a savings plan and stick to it, even if it means saying no to frequent trips or luxury purchases.
- Focus on Small Wins: Break goals into actionable steps and celebrate progress along the way. Small victories keep you motivated and help you build momentum over time. Completing one chapter of a professional certification course each week may seem minor, but over months, it will lead to the accomplishment of the entire course.
- Build Discipline Over Motivation: Motivation is fleeting, but discipline helps you stay consistent even when you don’t feel inspired. By developing habits, you ensure progress regardless of mood or circumstance. Commit to writing 500 words every morning. Even on uninspired days, you’ll eventually complete that novel or report you’ve been putting off.
- Think Compounding, Not Consumption: Recognize the power of incremental effort. Like compound interest in finance, small, consistent actions accumulate into significant results over time. Reading 10 pages daily doesn’t seem like much, but it can lead to finishing over a dozen books in a year, enriching your knowledge immensely.
- Learn to Say No: Success often requires letting go of good opportunities to focus on better ones. Saying no to distractions or lesser priorities ensures you invest your time and energy where it counts. Declining a well-paying freelance gig might feel like a loss in-the-moment, but it could allow you to dedicate more time to scaling your own business or building a legacy project.
The rewards of the long game—whether personal growth, financial security, or enduring success—far outweigh the fleeting satisfaction of shortcuts. Trust that the seeds you plant today will yield a bountiful harvest tomorrow.
So,
What long-term investment will you start making today?
In case you missed lesson 18, you can read it here.
Ivan Kabandize