The Road Less Traveled
    A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Delaying Gratification

- Woman with tendency to procrastinate in her job
    - If she were to force herself to accomplish the unpleasant part of her job during the
            first hour, she would then be free to enjoy the other six.
- Delaying gratification
    - A process of scheduling the pain and pleasure of life
    - Enhance pleasure by meeting & experiencing the pain first and getting it over with
    - The only decent way to live
- Delaying gratification exercised throughout grammer school: homework
    - Some 15 & 16-yr olds have no capacity for delaying gratification
    - "Play now, pay later"
    - Impulsiveness so severe, it precludes process of psychotherapy
- Why do majority develop delay-of-gratification skills, but some don't?
    - Quality of parenting is determinant.

Delaying gratification is the process of scheduling the pain and pleasure in your life so that you meet and deal with the pain first to get it over with.     This will enhance the pleasure in life, and is the only decent way to live.