The Strange Case of Dr. Strange (or how I learned to stop worrying and....)

[Tyson]

I like to report here funny little things that happen to me on my MMM journey.  This week has been very interesting.  My daughter and I saw Dr Strange at the theater a while back, she loved it and couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD so we could watch it at home, too.  So I put our name on the "wait list" to get the movie from the local library.

Here we are, first week of the release.  We started as #35 on the list and now we're at #6.  It's been nearly a week that it's been out and on ANY of those days I could have spent the $1.50 at redbox and been able to watch it at any time.  But I decided to stick to my guns and just wait a few more days for it to come to the library for us. 

Here's the crazy part - I'm noticing that the anticipation of waiting for the movie is actually increasing my enjoyment levels.  I'm actually looking forward to seeing the movie again even more because I didn't just grab it that first day.  AND I'm getting to watch it for free instead of paying for it.  But mostly its just super cool that this tiny little example of delayed gratification pays off immediately in a nicer life and better experience. 

[samsonator54321]

I've noticed this applies to so many other things in life too!

Preparing or waiting for a delicious meal. Delaying sexual desires.  Anticipation/Planning of a upcoming trip. Christmas when you were a kid etc.

I've also noticed it the opposite way.  My family had always gone to Cedar Point Amusement park every year. When I got older and started going with my wife, we would buy the fast passes.  It was still a blast, but the rides just aren't as exciting if you only have 10 minutes of anticipation instead of 3 hours. I still do it, but I just go in with different expectations of the payoff.

I truly believe that this "discipline" or voluntary discomfort as MMM calls it is one of the keys to a great life. I always try to look at something hard like exercise as "buying tomorrow's discomfort".