Pranaam yatri,
Do you feel sad that you can’t remember much of your childhood?
I certainly do. They were our growing years – the most influential time of our life, the maximum learning, and the most innocence.
Sadly, our brains delete that portion.
But this makes the little that we remember even more precious.
I remember hearing (and later, reading) this story in a book. And the learning helps me a lot as an adult.
Once Upon a Time on a Scary Island
This old kingdom had a weird rule: kings were elected for 5 years but then banished to a scary island.
The kingdom was rich and powerful. The king was treated to a royal luxury like no other.
Every young man wanted to be king. Because those 5 years gave them enough comfort of a lifetime.
But they woke up to the horrible reality at the end of their tenure.
The royal guards took them prisoner, threw them into a boat and abandoned them on the island.
No one wanted to go to the dark, dense forests and the wild beasts that would eat them up.
King after king was thrown away, each crying out their last days before becoming a meal for the predators.
Then came one smart man.
When elected king, he chose not to revel in the luxury. He dedicated a good portion of his rule to developing the island instead.
The wilderness was transformed into a peaceful village, well-suited to human habitation.
So when 5 years ended and it was his time to go into exile, he happily walked to the boat with his family.
And spent his remaining days in peace and joy.
The moral of the story: Sometimes, delayed gratification pays off big time.
Don’t forget Tim Urban’s TED wisdom
Ever caught Tim Urban’s TED talk?
He has a hilarious take on how the Instant Gratification Monkey runs our brains. Speaking of procrastination, he tells us how we can navigate the jungle of our minds and unlock our long-term goals.
The trick is simple: Keep the Future as Your North Star
Consider this example: you want to lose weight and get in shape. You KNOW that you should not binge on pizza.
Yet, whenever you see a pizza, you feel your willpower slipping. Most people choose instant gratification (since cheesy goodness feels fantastic) over their long-term fitness goal.
And later feel guilty about their actions.
How do you find the strength to stick to your goal and get through the moment?
You end up eating the pizza because you can see it, and touch it. It feels real and achievable.
What if you had a slim photo of yourself right there? Suddenly, the goal becomes visible, and the process becomes easier to commit to.
It’s all about making the future your reference point for the present.
Visualizing Success: Your Secret Weapon
The challenge arises when we can’t quite visualise how our present actions contribute to future success. That’s where imagery and text come into play.
Whether creating vision boards, setting clear goals, or using your imagination, find what works for you.
The journey becomes smoother when you can clearly see the destination.
It’s time to channel your inner king, focus on the future, and turn your present actions into stepping stones toward lasting success.
Here’s to banishing those short-term distractions and embracing the path to long-term triumph!
All the best!
