"He that can have patience can have what he will." - Benjamin Franklin
In today's world, convenience reigns supreme. Movies and music are available on demand, any food can be in your hands in 20 minutes, and products are delivered to your doorstep in 1-3 days. Instantly, you can see someone's face through video chat and travel across the globe in around 24 hours.
Consequently, society has become conditioned to expect immediate results. We live in an "on demand" era, drastically altering our expectations. God forbid there’s spotty internet, shitty cell service, or no rideshare in a place. People lose their minds!
The Pitfalls of Instant Gratification
Let's delve deeper into why this poses a serious problem for our future. Ozempic helps people lose 50 pounds in three months without exercise. YouTube “Shorts” provide us with condensed content, bypassing longer videos for snippets under a minute. AI tools have transformed our approach to tasks by reading articles, listening to meetings, and summarizing content or generating instant digital art.
This rush for quick outcomes overlooks a crucial aspect: the value of doing the hard work, and understanding how things actually work. The journey, the struggles, the learning - these are what imbue actions with meaning. These intangible elements forge our character, making us stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
The real reward comes from the experiences that make something truly "yours" – a true sense of ownership and accomplishment.
The Danger of Entitlement
Consider your own habits. Do you prefer YouTube highlights, or do you immerse yourself fully, reading the book or exploring the world firsthand? I gravitate towards comprehensive understanding, valuing the depth of learning over the convenience of summaries.
Unfortunately, the prevailing trend is towards instant gratification in all facets of life, from business to parenting, weight loss, and wealth creation. Many expect a magical solution to their problems, yearning for rewards without effort. This entitlement and conditioning are contributing to societal decline.
The Fallacy of a "Magic Wand" Solution
There’s no better example of this problem than what you’re seeing as it relates to the continuous push “higher minimum wage.” It’s like some progressive politician pulled a random number out of a hat and decided that’s the amount of money EVERYONE is entitled to for simply showing up to work.
In reality, the wage a business can afford to pay someone is based on their unique financials. They have various costs associated with managing their business, and the help is only worth so much. Mandating a baseline minimum wage that’s too rich for a small business owner can destroy their business. This is why you’re seeing (and will continue to see) businesses relying on automation; it’s cheaper and causes fewer problems.
Anyone with an accurate understanding of how businesses function would know that you can’t arbitrarily pick a minimum value for a base wage and force everyone to adopt it. Some businesses operate on thinner margins. Yet, members of the workforce are out in the streets, parroting their favorite politician, and demanding some random amount of dollars per hour without ever understanding how a business determines what it can pay its workers. That’s entitlement, and it’s a byproduct of the “magic wand” society mindset.
Breaking the Spell
Just because you want something doesn’t mean someone has to give it to you. Break the metaphorical magic wand. Transform its pieces into tools. Embark on a journey of building, fixing, and learning from seasoned experts. Get your hands dirty and then share your knowledge.
This path leads to true mastery and fulfillment. Embrace the challenge, for in the sweat of your brow and the dedication of your heart, lies the key to genuine satisfaction and success.
Guidance for Avoiding the "Magic Wand Society" Mentality
To avoid falling into the trap of the "Magic Wand Society" mentality, and to help coach other men out of it, consider the following:
Encourage Critical Thinking: Encourage men to question the instant gratification culture and think critically about the value of hard work and perseverance.
Promote Education: Advocate for ongoing education and learning, emphasizing the importance of understanding how things work rather than seeking quick fixes.
Emphasize Personal Responsibility: Remind men that success and fulfillment come from personal effort and responsibility, rather than expecting rewards without effort.
Lead by Example: Lead by example by demonstrating resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to personal growth and development.
Support Community Engagement: Foster a supportive community where men can share experiences, challenges, and successes, helping each other navigate away from the "Magic Wand Society" mentality towards a path of genuine fulfillment and success.
The world needs strong men.
-Your Big Bro
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