What Marshmallows and Kids Teach Us About Success

Marshmallow Test conducted by Stanford University Researchers in the last 1960s submitted hundreds of four-year-olds to a little test of self discipline. The kids were put in a small room with marshmallows in front of them. They were told they could either eat the treat now, or if they could wait for another 15 minutes until the researchers returned, they could have one more marshmallow.

Some kids waited while others in the midst of vortex of temptation could not wait for even a minute. Many others struggled a little longer before eventually giving in. The most successful kids were the ones who figured out how to distract themselves from the marshmallow’s temptation by facing in different direction, closing their eyes, or kicking something…etc. These children delayed eating these seductive marshmallows for a full 15 minutes. What is interesting is that these kids who waited for 15 minutes were significantly more successful in life than the kids who gave in. Even the SAT scores were an average of 210 points higher among those who waited 15 minutes. 

The strength to achieve a goal and accomplish a dream come from self discipline. People who are on the path to destruction are people who are moved by their impulse. The path to success is found in those who are able to manage their impulse through self discipline. Discipline is indispensable in order to live in peace and harmony. It’s the power to live according to what we know to be true and right over impulsive living!

We make over 2,500 choices every day. Therefore, having the self discipline to choose to live according to the principles of life is the most important decision you can make. A person who lacks discipline is like driving a car down hill with broken brake system.

Ancient text says, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.”

Victor Frankl, a Jewish psychologist who endured an excruciating experience in a Nazi concentration camp in Germany wrote: “They stripped me naked. They took everything. I stood there naked and all of a sudden realized at that moment that although they could take everything away from me - my wife, my family, my possessions - they could not take away my freedom to choose how I was going to respond.”

Here are some quick tips on how to increase your discipline:

1. Meditate | Meditation increases your emotional intelligence. Even five minutes a day will increase your ability to exercise self discipline  As a person of faith I seek the wisdom of the Bible to help me move towards full expression of my potentials.
   
2. Sleep | A good night sleep will help you to be 30% more productive in life! Get your 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
   
3. Forgive Yourself | When you mess up, it is critical that you forgive yourself. Often people swim in a pool of overly critical attitude towards their own mistake and they wallow in it. But remember, what ever you focus on, you become! Instead of focusing on the immediate struggle for self discipline, focus on what you’re going to do to improve yourself in the future.

It takes time to increase your emotional intelligence but it’s possible. Try the above tips when you recognize the moments when you are straining with self discipline. Every day you have an opportunity to grow and mature! Choose growth! Live with power TODAY!