An internal asset most people don’t think much about today is the ability to delay gratification or self-discipline. If you look at the subject matter of most parenting books you’ll find it is about some form of loving discipline – coming from an external source the parent.
The marshmallow experiment has been reproduced many, many times in the the US and abroad. The results are nearly identical and if they track to kids they find that the ability to delay gratification is a nearly perfect indicator of future success.
The trick is finding ways to teach and mentor these skills to our kids so they become internal, or self-regulated rather than relying on us to provide them.
What are some the ways you have (or would like to) raise your kids to be self-disciplined?
For example, do your kids have a savings account? Do they get to garden and wait for seeds to grow and produce?
What examples do you give them in your own life?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved this article!!! Appreciate it!…
I really like your writing style, good info. thank you for putting up : D.
“Each child was offered a marshmallow and was told that they could have it now or if they could wait several minutes they could have two.”
Have a Plan. I don t think that every aspect of ones life should be planned out in detailed but in order to reach your goals whatever they maybe you need to have a plan. If you have a plan it becomes easier to resists the urge of immediate satisfaction you maybe more conscious of your behavior and how they fit in your plan..4.