# Instant gratification syndrome Contrary to [[Delayed gratification]], instant gratification is about what you can get RIGHT NOW. Many people suffer form the instant gratification syndrome. They tend to choose smaller rewards right now instead of (often) larger, delayed benefits. It seems to get worse and worse over time. Especially with people who passively consume a lot of social media content (e.g., TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc). Instant gratification prevents many people from achieving important things in their lives. Instead of working toward something better, they "waste" time, fool around, and avoid meaningful work. This has a big impact on what they can actually achieve. More people need to cultivate patience and persistence. They need to find a better balance between short-term and long-term rewards.