The Marshmallow Test: A Lesson in Self-Leadership
Steve Gutzler
Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Keynote Speaker | Human-Centered Leadership Advocate | Executive Leadership Coach
John Maxwell once said, "The toughest person to lead is yourself." I couldn’t agree more. Every day, I find myself deep in conversation with my inner self, navigating a series of choices that determine the course of my day and, ultimately, my life.
The questions are simple, yet they carry profound weight in my head:
What I’ve come to realize is that life often boils down to two fundamental choices:
You may have heard of the famous Stanford Marshmallow Test. In this study, a group of four-year-olds was given a simple choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait until the researcher returned and receive two marshmallows instead. Fourteen years later, those who chose to wait—who delayed their gratification—were more likely to get along better with peers, handle conflict more effectively, and pursue their goals with greater persistence.
Here’s the good news:
As your coach, mentor, and friend, I encourage you to start small. Choose one area of your life where you can build the habit of taking the road less traveled. Perhaps it’s something as simple as setting a consistent bedtime or committing to 10 minutes of quiet reflection each morning. Whatever it is, let it be a small step toward strengthening your self-discipline and reinforcing your commitment to personal growth.
Remember, as Brian Tracy wisely put it: "The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable prerequisite for success."
Here’s to making the tough choices and reaping the lasting rewards. The journey won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it.
– Steve