Delaying Gratification, Relaying Triumph

 

Let’s play a game! I have here chocnuts and I will give one to each of you (distribute). You can eat it now. But, there’s a twist! If you’ll finish listening to my speech without eating that chocnut, I will give you more later!

Tonight,  I will share with you a concept which I apply in my life as I make choices. In his book entitled “Who You Are When No One is looking”, Bill Hybels emphasized the term “delaying gratification” as an important ingredient of discipline.  Gratification, in its simplest form, is that feeling of satisfaction or happiness we get from achieving something or indulging in a pleasure.  Delaying gratification is choosing to resist the temptation of an immediate reward in favor of a more significant one that comes later.

Delaying gratification sounds difficult to do but I have come up with three points that helped me ace this.

First is reflect. Reflection is my compass in decision-making. It involves evaluating every decision against my ultimate goal. I knew that short-term indulgences could jeopardize my long-term success. In 2012, I decided to take the CPA Licensure Examination.  That time, I was working full-time as a regular employee at JG Summit; and I cannot afford to quit my job, just for the sake of getting the CPA License.  I reflected and list down the gratification which I can delay for the next six months as I prepare for the boards while working during weekdays.  I planned my study schedule around work commitments.  I enrolled in the weekend classes of the CPA Review Center, that is every Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 6pm.  I was an “8-to-5” employee during weekdays.  Weekend review is not enough, I have to study on weekdays to finish the review materials.  I managed my time effectively to prioritize exam preparation over personal leisure.  This includes taking quick snacks for lunch, limiting my night sleep to four hours maximum, spending all weekends at review school, and utilizing my time off work for studying.  Balancing my job responsibilities with exam preparation was no small feat but reflecting on what matters most helped me a lot.

Next is reject.  Rejecting immediate gratification was perhaps the toughest part. It meant turning down invitations to events, saying "no" to social outings, and resisting the allure of instant pleasures. But with each refusal, I reinforced my commitment to my goal. Every sacrifice was a step forward, strengthening my resolve to pass the CPA exam and secure a better future for myself and my family.  During my six months preparation for the boards, I’ve been invited to events like birthdays, church activities, family gatherings, and night out with friends; but I had to say  “no”.

Finally, reward. Delaying gratification doesn’t mean you should never indulge yourself. In fact, rewarding yourself is essential for maintaining motivation and recognizing your hard work. The key is to choose rewards that come after achieving significant milestones.

During my review, my friends set a night swimming in Laguna and they persuade me to join.  Before saying ‘yes’ to their invitation, I inculcate to myself that I have to pass the mock boards provided by the review center first.  And I did! I joined them.  I rewarded myself a night-off from my routine of work-review-nap.  After that night swimming, I became more motivated to push through with my review and pass the boards so I will not miss any more fun activities in the future.

Delaying gratification is a powerful tool for achieving long-term success and happiness. By reflecting on our choices, rejecting short-term pleasures that don't align with our goals, and rewarding ourselves appropriately for accomplishments, we can cultivate a more fulfilling and successful future.

Who among you were able to reach this part of my speech without eating their chocnut? May I see a raise of hands? Congratulations!  You’’ll get more chocnuts later!

In the 1970s, psychologist Walter Mischel’s marshmalow test studied delaying gratification. Preschoolers were given two options: they could eat one marshmallow immediately or wait 15 minutes for two.  Years later, those who waited generally showed greater success in life, highlighting the long-term benefits of self-control. 

Fellow toastmasters and friends, can you apply these three Rs of delaying gratification in your life?  I believe you can do it!  Reflect on your goals, reject distractions, and reward your achievements. Your future self will thank you for the bonus chocnuts!

Pride Stride (Toastmasters Table Topic)

 

SELF-ASSESS TO SUCCESS! (Toastmasters Project 1)

 

Ask Naïve Questions Now, Be Intelligent Tomorrow.

Often, we delay asking questions for fear of judgment, only to regret not asking them sooner. It’s better to sound foolish today by asking what seems obvious than to pretend to know everything and remain ignorant.

Fellow Toastmasters and friends, the answer to that question might hold the key to greater understanding tomorrow.

Good evening, everyone! I am Joana, a passionate advocate for lifelong learning. I would like to introduce myself by discussing four self-assessment practices that are crucial for continuous personal and professional development.

●        Setting Goals

From high school and college, we've been taught about short-term and long-term goals. Long-term goals are our ultimate ambitions, but short-term goals keep us on track toward achieving them. My overarching goal is to excel in my field as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and associate professor at Our Lady of Fatima University. Managing the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and Bachelor of Science in Accounting Information System programs, I find fulfillment in teaching and mentoring students.

Achieving a goal should be a stepping stone to setting new ones. After becoming a CPA, I pursued further education, completing my Master’s in Business Administration in 2017 and my Doctorate in 2020. I also became a Certified Computational Finance Analyst and joined the National Research Council of the Philippines. Each of these accomplishments began as a goal, reinforcing my belief in goal-setting for lifelong learning.

●        Monitoring Time Management

Time is our most valuable asset and seems scarcer as we grow older. Efficient time management is essential for balancing personal and professional responsibilities. As a mother to two beautiful daughters, Sierra, a two-year-old, and Sandari, my nine-month-old, balancing motherhood with a demanding career is challenging but fulfilling.

In my role as a college professor and program head, I manage a variety of tasks, from assisting my college dean to addressing student concerns and attending meetings. Prioritizing tasks aligned with my goals helps me stay organized and make steady progress toward my objectives.

●        Seeking Feedback

Constructive feedback is a cornerstone of personal growth. Actively seeking feedback from colleagues, students, and mentors helps us understand our strengths and areas for improvement. However, obtaining honest feedback can be challenging due to hierarchical relationships and personal biases.

In my current work, this challenge is particularly pronounced. Colleagues might hesitate to provide candid feedback, and students might feel uncomfortable offering criticism. To counteract this, I joined a Toastmasters Club. Toastmasters provides a supportive setting where members give and receive constructive feedback on communication and leadership skills, offering insights that might be difficult to obtain in a regular work environment.

●        Practicing Self-Reflection

Feedback alone isn’t enough; we must reflect on our learning experiences to make meaningful improvements. This involves analyzing feedback and implementing changes. For each area of improvement identified, I create a detailed action plan outlining steps to address it. This might include setting new goals, learning new skills, or changing my approach. Reflecting on the outcomes helps me understand the impact of my efforts and refine my strategies for the future.

I believe that my greatest competition in life is my old self. Rather than comparing myself to others, I measure my progress against who I was yesterday and envision who I want to become tomorrow. This mindset fosters continuous self-improvement and helps me stay motivated without falling into unproductive comparisons. 

For me, humility is the most crucial ingredient for pursuing lifelong learning. It keeps us grounded, acknowledging our imperfections, and believing that there is always room for improvement. Humility helps us accept our limitations, seek and embrace feedback, and stay teachable, enabling growth from every experience and interaction.

I hope these insights inspire you to engage in lifelong learning and continuous self-improvement!