United States

Prioritize Rewards Over Time for Better Results

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • Concentrating on the rewards rather than the duration of the waiting period enhances patience.
  • Surprisingly, making quick decisions can lead to choosing more patient options if the rewards are emphasized.
  • Implementing clear rewards and cognitive reframing can help individuals cultivate patience in various aspects of life.

Patience is often touted as a virtue in both personal growth and professional development. However, cultivating it can be a challenge in our fast-paced world. Recent insights from behavioral psychology suggest a compelling strategy: focusing on rewards rather than the duration of time can effectively enhance patience. This article explores the underlying mechanisms of this approach and provides practical tips for applying it in everyday life.

Patience is not merely the ability to wait, but the quality of how we wait. It involves enduring difficult situations without frustration or despair and making rational decisions under pressure. The benefits of being patient are extensive, impacting various aspects of life including mental health, relationships, and professional success.

The Role of Rewards in Cultivating Patience

A pivotal study published in Nature Communications reveals that individuals exhibit greater patience when their attention is directed towards the rewards at the end of their wait, rather than the wait itself. Ian Krajbich, the lead author of the study, explains, "If you’re trying to get people to be more patient by getting them to slow down or speed up their decisions, you need to know which dimension they’re going to focus on first". This insight is crucial for understanding how focusing on potential benefits can modify our natural inclinations for immediate gratification.

Experimentation and Findings

In the study, participants were given choices between smaller, immediate rewards and larger, delayed rewards. Interestingly, the research demonstrated that when participants made rapid decisions, they often chose the delayed reward, suggesting that limited decision time might enhance focus on the end reward. "If you’re somebody who focuses on the rewards first, time pressure accentuates that and makes you more patient". This counterintuitive finding suggests that under certain conditions, the immediacy of decision-making can actually bolster patience.

Practical Applications

Setting Clear Rewards

To apply this principle, set clear, tangible rewards for personal and professional goals. Whether it's a career advancement or personal development, having a concrete reward in sight can motivate sustained effort and patience.

Time Management Techniques

Interestingly, modifying our perception of time can aid in being more patient. Techniques such as breaking down tasks into smaller segments and focusing on each reward can make the process more bearable and even enjoyable.

Cognitive Reframing

Reframe the way you think about waiting by viewing it as an opportunity for growth and achievement. This cognitive shift can reduce feelings of frustration associated with delays.

The study from Nature Communications provides a fascinating glimpse into how the human mind can be trained to be more patient by focusing on rewards rather than the passage of time. By integrating these findings into daily practices, individuals can enhance their ability to wait patiently, leading to better decision-making and improved overall well-being.


Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJuly 8, 2025 at 10:30:00 PM

The quiet life lessons from my teenage son

There’s a sock hanging from the ceiling fan again. His bag is half-zipped, headphones tangled around an empty packet of Mamee Monster. The...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJuly 7, 2025 at 4:30:00 PM

What’s really causing depression at work—and how to fix it

It usually doesn’t start with a crisis. There’s no dramatic breakdown, no screaming match, no one throwing in their resignation. It starts quietly....

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 25, 2025 at 12:30:00 PM

Why saying “I was wrong” is a power move (And how to practice it)

You’re halfway through loading the plates. Someone leans over and says, “That’s not how it goes.” You smile, sure. But inside, you’re already...

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 23, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

What to do when you’re stuck in a work rut

You’re Not Lazy. You’re Just Running the Same Loop Too Long. You wake up, check your phone, swipe through Slack like it’s Instagram,...

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 23, 2025 at 2:30:00 PM

When learning isn’t about the job—and why that matters

In a world obsessed with efficiency, outcomes, and “what’s next,” a quiet educational rebellion is taking place. It’s not happening in boardrooms or...

Careers
Image Credits: Unsplash
CareersJune 16, 2025 at 2:30:00 PM

Networking tips for recent grads living at home

Living at home after graduation can feel like an awkward in-between. You’re no longer a student—but not yet part of a company, coworking...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJune 16, 2025 at 2:00:00 PM

Why workplace gratitude deserves a system, not a speech

There’s a reason gratitude rituals appear in both wellness culture and high-trust workplaces: they change how teams function. Not by forcing positivity, but...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJune 15, 2025 at 11:00:00 PM

Why flexible schedules can break you

It doesn’t show up all at once. At first, it feels like a win: no 9-to-5 boundaries, no commute, no one clocking your...

Culture
Image Credits: Unsplash
CultureJune 15, 2025 at 10:30:00 PM

Why strategic renewal in working parents is a hidden professional asset

There’s a tension that shows up in the inbox, the grocery run, the overdue email, and the school pickup line. Founders feel it....

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 15, 2025 at 10:30:00 PM

When your mind goes silent, your system is overloaded—not broken

You freeze mid-sentence. Words vanish. You lose your train of thought. It’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s embarrassing. But here’s the truth: this is not...

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 15, 2025 at 10:00:00 PM

How to apologize sincerely (and avoid making it worse)

Apologies are awkward, vulnerable, and deeply human. They’re also kind of a mess. Especially online, where performative "notes app" statements and PR-scripted regret...

Self Improvement
Image Credits: Unsplash
Self ImprovementJune 15, 2025 at 9:30:00 PM

How to build a personal brand on LinkedIn that sticks

We used to roll our eyes at the phrase personal brand. It smelled too much like hustle culture’s cologne—loud, curated, a bit desperate....

Load More