Having Trouble Getting Off The Couch To Get Things Done?
Did you know that the ability to delay gratification is scientifically linked to success and abundant lives?
There’s one study that linked the ability to wait to eat a marshmallow (the child could eat one now, or wait a few minute and get 2 marshmallows). They tracked the children over time and saw that the ones that could wait to get a bigger reward later were more successful in life.
I personally think that the study tracked trauma response as much as willpower to delay… After all, the survival brain that is reactive isn’t going to want to wait for a reward that might not come. A fearful and traumatized brain will want to take the good stuff and run before it disappears!
And, as we clear traumas and negative experiences from our systems, rebuilding the ability to delay gratification can be a powerful tool in our toolbox!
When we feel depleted, we often want to rush to good experiences to get a dopamine response – that feel good sensation may be in short supply if we’re stressed or going through a hard time.
If you have been binge watching a new series on Netflix… And you REALLY need to get the laundry done for tomorrow, but you keep telling yourself “Just One More!” this is a great time to build the delayed gratification muscle and collaborate with your brain to create a balance of feel good with “get 'er done!”
If your survival brain doesn’t trust that you’ll have good times again, commit to working WITH it!
Watch 5 more minutes and then tell your brain you’ll watch more once you gather the laundry.
Pause the TV, comfort your brain that is now feeling dopamine deprived, and spend a few minutes gathering dirty laundry. (Only a few minutes, pretend your mother is doing a surprise visit if that helps!) Cheer yourself on for getting that done!
Go back and watch 10-20 minutes more, letting your brain know that you kept your word about getting back to TV!
Once you’ve gotten another dose, do the next step in 1-5 minutes. If that’s sort the laundry, do that (does anyone sort anymore?!), or start the first load. Celebrate!!
Then come back and give yourself a mindful dose of TV. Rinse and repeat until you have clean clothes for tomorrow, and your brain has stretched a bit and has the idea that pausing the TV doesn’t mean forever. Make sure to appreciate your efforts each time!
If you have resistance to that, and/or want to build your muscles to the next level around delayed gratification, join us for a mini-workshop on Building the Muscles for Delayed Gratification!
This donation-based EFT Tapping and Coaching session is 90 minutes long and is designed to help us rebalance and focus our energy in ways that support a thriving lifestyle!
Watch the Replay Below
P.S. Our Circle Membership - now available for
a one-time payment on a gliding scale.
Circle Members get all Real Skills Workshops (and much more)!
We hope you’ll join us!
Cathy & Rick
Your Emotional Freedom Coaches
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P.S. Adira says, “Yes, I took 5 minutes to sweep… and I feel so accomplished. Now, back to Cocomelon on Netflix!”
