This week on the Squiggly Careers podcast, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from a sweet source — the marshmallow experiment — to explore how the science of delayed gratification applies to our work and career choices.
Inspired by the famous psychology study, they unpack what it means to make one marshmallow versus two marshmallow decisions — the everyday trade-offs between instant satisfaction and long-term success. From replying to emails and saying yes to everything, to applying for jobs and building relationships, Helen and Sarah share real-life examples of how to recognise and reframe your choices for greater impact.
You’ll learn how to spot your own marshmallow moments, connect them to what motivates you most, and choose progress over quick wins (at least some of the time!).
Episode 510
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⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
03:53 The Marshmallow Experiment explained
05:43 Why delayed gratification matters for squiggly careers
06:43 The shiny object trap — instant wins vs. long-term goals
08:13 One vs. Two Marshmallow choices at work
10:53 Email decisions — control vs. quality
16:23 Saying yes vs. saying no — and why “no” can lead to more impact
24:03 Career choices — applying vs. creating opportunities
29:03 Building relationships and the “giant marshmallow” payoff
30:53 How to spot your marshmallow moments
🎯 What You’ll Learn
- How to apply the concept of delayed gratification to your career
- Why awareness of short-term vs. long-term trade-offs boosts progress
- How to make intentional choices that lead to more impact
- Ways to balance quick wins with meaningful goals
📚 Resources Mentioned
The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marshmallow-Test-Understanding-Self-control-Master/dp/0552168866
Delayed Gratification article by James Clear https://jamesclear.com/delayed-gratification
For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com
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