Delayed Gratification: The Marshmallow Test
One marshmallow now, or two later? This simple choice is one of the strongest predictors of future success.
The Experiment
In the late 1960s, Stanford professor Walter Mischel offered children a choice: Eat one marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and get two. Some kids ate it immediately. Others agonized, covered their eyes, or sang songs to distract themselves. About one-third managed to wait.
The Result
Follow-up studies years later were shocking. The children who waited had higher SAT scores, better health, and more successful careers. The ability to delay gratification—to impulse control—turned out to be a "master aptitude."
Willpower or Strategy?
The key finding wasn't just about raw willpower. The successful kids used strategies. They changed their focus. They didn't stare at the treat; they looked away. They reframed the "hot" marshmallow (yummy treat) into a "cold" object (a puffy white cloud). Self-discipline isn't about gritting your teeth; it's about managing your attention.