The pleasure principle says we naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain. In my own words, we gravitate towards doing what feels good in the moment.
As we mature (from toddlers to kids to adults) we realize doing what feels good isn’t always what’s best for us. Here are a few examples that I think we can all relate to (or at least agree on):
- Eating what our body craves in the moment isn’t going to make us healthy in the long run.
- Being comfortable physically isn’t going to lead to the energy and confidence we want next month.
- Allowing my kids to do and get whatever they want will not lead to them becoming mature adults!
Of course, this applies to our finances as well! It’s harder than ever to control our natural impulse to feel good since almost anything we want is a few clicks away (and it might even arrive today)!
Is there an area of your finances you are neglecting because it would force you to make a sacrifice today?
How about in other areas of life?
M. Scott Peck (author of The Road Less Traveled) said, “Emotional sickness is avoiding reality at any cost. Emotional health is facing reality at any cost.”