Think long term
As humans, we often prioritize short-term rewards over long-term benefits. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of an immediate reward and forget about the consequences of our actions in the future. But if we want to achieve our goals and live fulfilling lives, we need to start making choices that benefit us in the long run.
Stephanie is a successful businesswoman who's been working at the same company for over a decade. She's always been a hard worker, but lately, she's been feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. She's been considering quitting her job to pursue her passion for writing but is afraid of taking the risk.
Stephanie has two options. Option 1: stay at her job and continue to feel unhappy and unfulfilled. Option 2: quit her job and pursue her passion for writing, even though it's uncertain and risky.
Option 1 is the short-term reward. It's comfortable and familiar, and it provides a steady income. But in the long run, it's not going to make Stephanie happy or fulfilled. Option 2 is the long-term benefit. It's risky and uncertain, but it has the potential to provide Stephanie with a fulfilling and rewarding career that she's passionate about.
It's easy to see why Stephanie might choose Option 1. It's safe and predictable, and it provides immediate benefits. But if Stephanie wants to live a fulfilling life, she needs to choose Option 2. She needs to take a risk and pursue her passion, even if it's uncertain and scary.
The same concept applies to many areas of our lives. We might choose to skip a workout and binge-watch our favorite show instead. We might choose to spend money on something we don't need instead of saving for the future. We might choose to avoid a difficult conversation instead of addressing the issue head-on.
In all these situations, we prioritize short-term rewards over long-term benefits. We're choosing comfort and familiarity over growth and progress. But if we want to achieve our goals and live fulfilling lives, we need to start making choices that benefit us in the long run.
So how do we start making choices for the long-term benefit? Here are a few tips:
Identify your values and goals. What do you want to achieve in life? What are your values and priorities? Once you have a clear understanding of what's important to you, it will be easier to make choices that align with your long-term goals.
Consider the consequences of your actions. Before making a decision, take a moment to consider the long-term consequences. Will this choice benefit you in the long run, or will it only provide short-term rewards?
Embrace discomfort. Growth and progress often come with discomfort. If you want to achieve your long-term goals, you need to be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and embrace the discomfort that comes with change.
Celebrate small wins. Making these long-term choices can be difficult, so it's important to celebrate your small wins along the way. Every time you make a choice that benefits you in the long run, celebrate your progress and remind yourself of the bigger picture.
Making choices for the long-term benefit can be challenging, but it's essential if we want to achieve our goals and live fulfilling lives. So the next time you're faced with a decision, ask yourself: am I choosing the short-term reward or the long-term benefit?
