I get it! People LOVE convenience. They want a “quick fix”, an easy job, a conflict-free relationship, a simple workout, instant weight loss, 5 second energy boost, instant butt-lift/boob enhancement, quick access to the internet, the beach, the checkout-line!
“But I want it NOOOWWWW DADDY”
Just reflect upon how rapidly cell-phone usage developed, evolving from a giant brick to a one-stop-shopping paper thin device that we EXPECT to work at 100% capacity, no matter our location.
Everything we use to find reward and value in has been inconspicuously transformed into instant gratification…followed by disappointment.
As my beloved and I were sitting outside at a restaurant in Shalimar, Florida called “Clean Eatz” (a fabulous dining experience) eating perfectly portioned bowls of healthy vegetables, low-glycemic carbs and lean protein, a women who appeared to be in her late 60s, early 70s, exited her car and began walking across the parking lot. You could surmise from her shape and mobility she probably had some health issues, but to what extent…unknown. Her gaze was directed at us. Her intention, you could tell, was to make contact.
After a few awkward smile moments, she stopped just shy of the restaurant patio and spoke to us. She wanted to know what this place was all about! Educational opportunity? Knowledge seeking? What an exciting moment to actually SHARE a great experience! I honestly believed she was curious for her her own well-being.
Of course, my beloved and all of his sarcastic responses instantly spouted out “its a restaurant”….OBVI! I piped in with my overzealous desire to change the world and its crappy eating habits ONE PERSON AT A TIME. With laughter in my voice, I said “yes, it is a restaurant that serves clean and nourishing food”. Her response?
Uh…LIKE DIET FOOD?
NO!!!! NOT “diet” food!!!! WTF is wrong with people. Do they not KNOW the definition of DIET???
the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats
Of course, my response was not exactly what was in my brain or even on my tongue awaiting departure. I explained they served HEALTHY, DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS food that was both pleasing to the taste-buds and nourishing to the body.
She huffed and walked away, making a B-line for the adjacent McDonald’s parking lot.
We reflected for a moment on the interaction. Why did she even ask? Why did she huff? Does she work at the fast-food chain establishment (I mean, she wasn’t dressed in their standard uniform and golf-visor)?
Moments later, she sauntered back across the parking lot, which was NOT the McDonald’s parking lot so I don’t even understand why she parked where she did, but that has nothing to do with me. In her left hand was what appeared to be a triple meat fast-food burger with several bites missing, and in her right, a GIANT ice cream cone, which she was overtly licking in a display meant for us! Kind of like a “haha, you have to eat that crap”. She got into her car and drove away.
We laughed almost uncontrollably, for we had just experienced a moment of what we term as “askholedom“.
People are uniquely perplexing. They desire HEALTH and a life of abundance and longevity. They desire results, but refuse to put in any of the work. They have all of the answers to the world’s problems, but lack in any results of their own. They want instant results without any, or very little effort.
This interesting experience proved validating in this belief and understanding.
As a female trainer and all genders coach, I WITNESS FIRST HAND how AUTHENTIC EFFORT CORRELATES TO AMAZING RESULTS. However, these results are rarely, if ever, quick.
People come to me 100-200 lbs overweight, some at a young age, and have goals of instant results. Like “I want to lose 150 lbs in 30 days” or “I want to get into a size 8 by my wedding in 2 months; I am currently a size 18” or “I really want to compete on a national level and even though I have never exercised before, the competition is in 3 weeks”. WOW…always my first thought before I find a professional and appropriate rewording.
Just recently, my beloved and I joined forces in the fitness coaching realm, creating a collaborative environment of knowledge and experience. In his full understanding of what he has learned, he realized how ridiculously addicted people get in terms of fitness competitions. They want to win, and at almost any expense of their own physical, emotional and lifestyle well-being. He realized that he doesn’t like, nor does he want to encourage competition, especially at the sacrifice of true time-honored results that come from patience, form and progression. Still, there will be people who want nothing more than to engage in “efficiency” and “quick results” just to compete at the probable risk of injury and humiliation.
Its all about instant rewards, and with very little effort.
The next time you start yelling at your internet’s speed to access social media or shopping sites or the next time you find yourself upset because someone did not offer overnight or 2 day shipping on an item you do not need now, STOP and ASK:
Am I seeking instant gratification? Are my expectations of the results REASONABLE? Am I being impatient and demanding, even though I am NOT authentically giving 100% of myself to achieve what it is I desire? Am I being unreasonable in that which I EXPECT others to do on my timeline or expecting them to read my mind?
It all boils down to convenience. What is the quickest route one can get what they want without having to put in the authentic effort?
The road less traveled may be longer, but the journey towards the results will last a life-time.
Modern man is conditioned to expect instant gratification, but any success or triumph realized quickly, with only marginal effort, is necessarily shallow. Meaningful achievement takes time, hard work, persistence, patience, proper intent and self-awareness. The path to success is punctuated by failure, consolidation, and renewed effort. – Mark Twight
Two Tribes Primal Wellness for Men and Women 