Marshmallows and delayed gratification

The marshmallow experiment is a famous test of this concept conducted by Walter Mischel at Stanford University and discussed by Daniel Goleman in his popular work. The initial goal of the experiment was to identify the mental processes that allowed some people to delay gratification while others simply surrendered. In the 1960s, a group of four-year olds were given a marshmallow and promised another, only if they could wait 20 minutes before eating the first one. Some children could wait and others could not. The researchers then followed the progress of each child into adolescence, and demonstrated that those with the ability to wait were better adjusted and more dependable (determined via surveys of their parents and teachers), and scored an average of 210 points higher on the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

Successful people develop habits which overcome the marshmallow temptation: Goal Setting, Self-Restraint, Focus and Prioritizing.

There is clearly a connection to success in Nu Skin and the outcome of this study.

Move than 24 years ago when I began working with Nu Skin I was clearly focused on achieving some lofty goals. If I had to eat beans and rice every day for 12 months in order to eat in a 4 star restaurant for the rest of my life… then…beans and rice it is. Was I prepared to drive a “junker” Honda Civic until I could afford to pay cash for a new Porsche? You bet.

Are you prepared to delay the things that give you short term gratification in order to have it all?

Only you can decide that.