THIS Is What Makes the Long Game So Hard — And Why It’s Worth It

I think we can all agree to this — we live in an age of instant gratification. Success isn’t measured in years or even months. It’s boiled down to days, or maybe weeks if you’re patient enough.

Everywhere you look, we’re being seduced into chasing the next viral moment.

Is it the creators of such claims who are deluded, or is it us, the audience?

Even if we don’t fall for every headline, there’s no denying the hit of dopamine we get from stories that claim success in a short time frame. Whether we’re consuming them passively or secretly dreaming of creating one such headline for our own blogs, Instagrams, or YouTubes, we are hooked by such lines.

In a world that seems to favor, even worship, the immediate, does the long game matter?

Is it worth investing in patience, persistence, and effort when we’re surrounded by everyone chasing quick wins?

1/ The Dopamine Hamster Wheel

We all know that rush — the thrill of a new notification, a like, or a comment. It’s not just you — the science behind it is fascinating. Every time you get that little ping, your brain’s reward center lights up, almost like when you’re enjoying your favorite treat. It’s the same mechanism that…