The Instant Culture

Summary

The article discusses the cultural shift towards instant gratification and the unrealistic expectation of immediate success and fulfillment in various aspects of life.

Abstract

The "Instant Culture" article delves into the pervasive societal demand for immediate results, from wealth to beauty to love. It critiques the prevalent narrative that success can be achieved overnight, as promoted by social media influencers and clickbait headlines. The piece questions the sustainability of such rapid advancements, particularly in the corporate world where young professionals expect quick promotions without the requisite experience. The author argues for the importance of patience and the value of the journey towards success, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from the process and not just the end result. The article encourages readers to resist the pressure for instant success and instead embrace a slower, more thoughtful approach to achieving their goals.

Opinions

The author challenges the belief in miracle cures and quick fixes that are widely advertised and seemingly endorsed by influencers and media personalities.
There is a skepticism towards the idea that substantial life changes, such as significant weight loss or finding true love, can be achieved in extremely short time frames as suggested by various programs and products.
The article suggests that the younger generation's expectation of rapid career advancement without the necessary years of experience and learning is unrealistic and potentially harmful to their professional development.
The author points out that the constant bombardment of 'instant success' stories creates a false sense of urgency and an unnecessary void that people feel compelled to fill immediately.
The piece advocates for a more mindful and patient approach to success, arguing that enjoying and learning from the process is what truly matters, not just reaching the destination.
It is implied that the societal push for immediate results is detrimental to mental health and that taking the time to achieve goals is not only healthier but also enriches the overall experience and success.

We need it all and we need it now.

As we scroll our social media daily we come across all these posts and stories, sharing instant success. All the influencers in their 20s travel the world like there is no tomorrow. They all have their digital business and these courses guarantee you will be in their shoes in a month! We see so many articles titled “Do these 5 things and get rich fast”, and “Work on these 3 habits and increase your wealth in days”.

And it’s not only money that we want now. Women sharing the miracle creams that got rid of their wrinkles overnight. People taking supplements that make them shed stubborn pounds in a matter of a few weeks. TV shows try to prove that you can find real love, one that will last forever, in just 6 to 8 weeks. How do we even believe, that things will change overnight with some kind of a miracle cure? And why do we believe that instant solutions will provide a long-lasting result?

I scroll through Fishbowl, checking what’s new in the corporate world and I see a question “Now, with 2 years of Associate experience, should I plan my next step to be a Senior Director? VP maybe?”. Did I even read that right?? It takes people years to get to higher levels at their jobs. It takes experience and knowledge, it takes understanding and patience. What makes all these young people think they are totally ready to get to the top NOW? And WHY? Is it because they think they deserve to get what they want as their parents tell them to? Does the young generation think they are the best of them all, that they can break all the norms and show others that everything is possible?

Fast… Now… but what about later?

When have we become so impatient? Why do we even need all these things to happen now? Our brains are so fogged up by all this and we cannot seem to be able to think otherwise. Because we are surrounded by it, we convince ourselves that’s the way to go and that’s what we need. It creates that unnecessary void that we try to fill out as soon as possible, so we don’t feel this way. And once we fill it, we don’t even enjoy it, we don’t even cherish that success, we just turn around and jump for the next thing we have in sight, to fill out yet another gap that we ourselves just created, as soon as possible. Because everyone else (apparently) can, then why shouldn’t we? But it is not healthy. Take the time to get the result you want, enjoy the process, and learn from it. It may take longer but it does not diminish the end result, it is still a success! Slow down and relax. As you climb up the mountain you should stop on the way- take a look around, breathe in look at different points of view, talk to others on the way- create the memory of the journey itself, that is what makes getting to the top better.

Patience is a virtue that many lack these days. We want it all and we want it now. But as we slow down, we learn. We become better and wiser. Every small step matters, in the end it will get you to the same destination. So stop skipping steps- be patient and trust the process, trust and listen to yourself.