DELAY GRATIFICATION MENTALITY
The Maize Plant or The Cocoa Tree?
When it comes to earning income, a lot of people are usually stuck between the maize and the cocoa tree..
The maize plant matures in three months. That means the farmer is certain of financial reward within a short time. This is the salary earner, the guy that organizes a WhatsApp class every month to make money, etc.
The problem with the maize plant is that after one season you must plant again to reap. If you don't plant, you don't reap.
The cocoa tree takes three to five years to start producing fruit. But after that, it keeps producing fruit every year for you. This is the business owner, the author of a best-selling book, etc.
The problem with the cocoa tree is that you need to be alive during the first three to five years to see the fruit. And to be alive you must eat.
It is obvious, therefore, that while waiting for the cocoa tree to mature and start producing fruit, the farmer should plant maize. The maize plant takes care of immediate needs, the cocoa tree takes care of future needs. The maize serves as palliative while the main goal is cocoa
Which mentality do you have, the maize plant or the cocoa tree mentality? Well, this is to let you know that you need both.
These are some really good points. Also, to extend the metaphor, the cocoa tree could get parasites or die before coming to fruition or rather than lasting. So delay of gratification is usually good, but sometimes does not work out as we hope. Usually, it does, of course!!!
That shows that nothing is certain in life but we hope for the best and keep trying.