We also teach delayed gratification because life's big successes are not found through instant gratification that our brains are prewired to constantly be in search of... but rather delayed gratification. A great example I read in a book one time was... "Do you want to go to the beach.... or own the beach?" You can work hard today and own the beach one day or take the day off and go the beach for the day. Instant vs. Delayed gratification.