Instant Gratification

“The whole world right now is about instant gratification,” said Matt McKenna, the founder and president of Red Fish Media. Our desire for Instant Gratification is so ingrained in how we move through the world that we often fail to notice it, and yet, it impacts us in powerful and unexpected ways. Think about it. We expect an instant response when we text, twitter and email, demand overnight or next day service in the online retail world, food delivery in thirty minutes or less, instant taxi cabs and restaurant reservations via smartphone apps, streaming movies and TV shows at warp speed and computers that process information at increasingly faster speeds.

 The cost to us for our Instant Gratification lifestyle shows up in a world of increasing impatience, overextension of credit and it’s impact on financial markets, health issues related to stress and a lifestyle pace that doesn’t include adequate down time. I suggest that although the costs of our demand for Instant Gratification are many, there are also quite a few benefits to this type of mindset. Think about it. Our desire for speedy response times has also pressed the business world to come up with new and improved business models that directly honor and address customer needs and demands in a 24/7 global marketplace. This has resulted in much innovation and business operations efficiencies, from optimal recruiting, staffing and training to increased efficiencies in organizational, inventory and distribution systems and structures.

Is our increased demand for Instant Gratification a good or bad thing? My best answer to this question is yes! What is your answer?

Janet