“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” F. Scott Fitzgerald Keep this quote in mind.
In 2015 at a conference Seth Godin referred to Stanford University’s Marshmallow Study. Children at about 3 years old were placed in a room, one at a time, with research who brought out a marshmallow and placed in front of them. A big fluffy marshmallow!
They were told the researcher had to leave but would return in 15 minutes. If they did not eat the marshmallow during the time the researcher was away, they’d get another one to enjoy. If they did eat it, that was all they would get. There would not be another one.
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There are videos online of this experiment being duplicated. Fascinating was the follow-up conducted 10 years later as to how well the child was doing in life. They discovered the health, grades, SAT scores, and goals of the kids who didn’t eat it were better.
Seth’s interpretation of this is the kids who didn’t eat the marshmallow were able to hold two opposing ideas in their mind. One, “I want to eat the marshmallow”. Two, “If I don’t eat it I will get more later.” He related it to the Fitzgerald quote I supplied.
Muhammed Ali similarly said, ‘I hate training. I don’t want to train but I know if I want to be a champion and be the best, I have to train.’ So whether he was tired, cold or interested in something else he still trained so he could fulfill his purpose of being the best.
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Whether it’s the ability to hold the two ideas or the ability to delay gratification (or both) the point is that those who didn’t eat the marshmallows and put off the gratification, did better in life than those who woofed it down. Ali became a world champion.
When it comes to creating your best life and making things happen there are scores of temptations and distractions to lead you astray. Those who remain committed and don’t run off in other directions, or eat the marshmallow, or don’t do when they don’t feel it, succeed.
Get it? Focus and commit. Keep your eye on the prize even though the temptation is right now. The successful ones are able to see now and compared it to the future. If they stay the course they get two marshmallows. That’s much better than just one. They win a reward.
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Give in to distraction and you lose out. Ali hated to run behind a car, jump rope, spar and train in the mornings. He also knew that being a world champion some day, which he was certain he’d be, was better than discomfort he might endure in the present. He saw it through.
Stay focused and committed and you can get the prize. Those who didn’t eat because they knew they’d get another marshmallow delayed gratification for a larger reward. They controlled their impulses. What does this mean to you? What would you do?
What do you do? Learn to manage your mindset and stay focused. Commit to your goals and you can succeed. Stay on point. Keep your eyes on the prize. Know the temporary discomfort will pass and the larger reward will be yours. Celebrate everything!” Rex Sikes
PS I share much, much more in Life On Your Terms
“Rex’s understanding of how the mind works and mindset is second to none. He wrote a book called Life On Your Terms. He’s really good. You can’t read this book and not think better, not think more productively, not think more efficiently, and not think with a lot more directed happiness in your life because he shows you how to do it in the book. I’m really glad he put out this book. I encourage you to buy it. It’s really good!’ Joe Soto, Int’l Marketing Mentor
GET IT HERE: LIFE ON YOUR TERMS AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE
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©2020 Photo Rex Steven Sikes & Rex Sikes Entertainment, LLC
©2020 Cover Rex Steven Sikes & Rex Sikes Entertainment, LLC