The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment

In the late 60s and early 70s, a then professor of psychology at Stanford University, Walter Mischel conducted a series of experiments in delayed gratification.

In his experiments, his researchers offered children the option of having 1 marshmallow now, or a further treat of 2 marshmallows if they would wait just 15 minutes.

Of course, many of the children couldn’t help themselves and took 1 treat now, rather than more treats later.

As they continued studying the same children into adulthood, they discovered that those children that had been able to delay gratification in order to achieve a second treat, had better test scores, BMIs, college results, jobs and more stable family lives.

Why is this relevant to you?

At many points in your acting training and coaching, you will be in the position of the child with a real marshmallow in front of you, but the promise of more marshmallows in the future.

According to Mischel’s results, if you are willing to delay instant gratification, you can enjoy much greater success.

So the question remains, do you want minor success now, or major success later?

The choice is yours.