Why pleasure is the key to self-improvement

"Yet the latest research suggests that this may be the worst way to approach our personal goals. Put simply, we are far more likely to succeed if the process offers immediate gratification as well as rewards in the future, and we should actively look for new ways to enhance the inherent satisfaction in whatever it is we're doing. Far from being the enemy of self-control, pleasure powers perseverance. Forget delayed gratification; it's instant gratification that means we keep on keeping on."

"These insights arise from self-determination theory, which sets out a kind of spectrum for motivation. On one side you have intrinsic drives, which are the things you're drawn to do for their own sake, because they're fun, engaging or give you pleasure. On the other there are extrinsic drives things that you know you should do, often because of a longer-term benefit."

"When most of us turn our minds to self-improvement, we assume that we need to put pleasure on pause until we've reached our goal. This is evident in the motivational mantras that get bandied about no pain, no gain, the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. If we fail, we tend to think it's our own fault for lacking the willpower needed to put in the hours and stick at it, probably because we've given in to some kind of short-term temptation."

Research indicates that prioritizing immediate gratification during goal pursuit improves adherence and increases likelihood of success. Pleasure during the process sustains motivation and fuels perseverance rather than undermining self-control. Self-determination theory frames motivation along a spectrum from intrinsic drives, which involve activities pursued for enjoyment and engagement, to extrinsic drives, which are pursued for longer-term benefits. Activities that are not immediately rewarding tend to fail as people give in to short-term temptations. Enhancing inherent satisfaction in tasks and seeking ways to make progress enjoyable supports consistent effort and better outcomes.

Read at www.theguardian.com