Lesson of Two Marshmallows

Recently I read an interesting article in The New Yorker by Jonah Lehrer about a study with children and marshmallows. The research project’s intent in the beginning was somewhat vague however it developed into a study on self-control. During the study, children had placed before them a marshmallow and were told not to eat it. They were also told that if they did not eat the marshmallow, they could have two marshmallows to eat when the researcher returned. Of the 650ish participants, only 30% waited long enough to receive an additional marshmallow. Though uncertain what this study meant initially, later in life it was discovered that those who demonstrated the ability to wait, or be patient, were much more successful in life. (ie. better grades in school, better paying jobs, good/stable careers, healthier, happier with life.)

So what does this mean for us?! It means if we can learn to be patient and put off gratification, we can improve our ability to be successful. Patience is a virtue that is tremendously hard to develop in our “I want what I want and I want it now” society. The ability to be instantly gratified is becoming easier and easier with technology, easy credit, etc. Yet, learning to be patient and putting our desires on hold for a time—can be extremely valuable.

One example we see often in life is when two young people graduate from high school and set off on two different courses. Both need and want money but one chooses to start working while the other decides to sacrifice his current wants and needs in order to go to college. In the beginning, the one working seems to be enjoying life with a little bit of money, food, and time to spend with friends while the other feels broke, tired, and overwhelmed in school. In that brief moment, the one working is richer and perhaps more successful. Fast forward 10 years however and the one who went to college finds himself with a much higher paying more exciting job with a better education and opportunities for the future while the other one remains in his lower-paying dead end job. In the end the one who sacrificed in the beginning discovers that patience and self-sacrifice paid off.

Being patient is not easy as it requires self-discipline and active persistence. This includes actively working toward goals even when results do not come instantly. It includes continually putting forth great effort even when the current outcome does not seem worth it. It includes delaying immediate gratification for future results. It includes staying the course while others seemingly are finding success now. If we can do these things though as the marshmallow study proved, we will be more successful in life.

Thus, the marshmallow study is a lesson for life. Often we have the opportunity to cease what we want right now but by so doing we sacrifice long-term success and better results. If we can learn to focus on the future and think about how a decision today may impact us tomorrow, we can better wait and be patient in order to ensure we receive two marshmallows.