13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success

Morin argues that expecting immediate results undermines personal growth and goal achievement, using the case study of Marcy, a woman who sought quick fixes for her general life dissatisfaction. Marcy had repeatedly abandoned self-help efforts, therapy sessions, and personal-improvement attempts because she did not see rapid changes. Through her therapeutic journey, Marcy learned to develop patience and realistic expectations, ultimately making meaningful progress in her education and marriage goals.

The author contends that modern society has conditioned people to expect instant gratification across all areas of life. This expectation stems from technological advances that provide immediate access to information, entertainment, and services. Morin notes that stories of overnight business successes often obscure the years of preparation that preceded apparent sudden achievements: Twitter’s founders worked for eight years before launching their platform, Apple’s iPod required three years and four iterations before becoming profitable, and Amazon operated at a loss for seven years.

This analysis reflects broader cultural observations about contemporary American society’s relationship with time and effort. Morin’s perspective aligns with research in behavioral psychology while addressing concerns that predate—but have intensified with—digital technology. The chapter’s focus on delayed gratification builds upon foundational psychological research, particularly Walter Mischel’s famous marshmallow experiments, though Morin applies these concepts specifically to adult goal setting rather than child development.