Many of us have been there. We adhere to our diet for six days a week. We watch our caloric intake, meal prep at home, and avoid those unhealthy Uber Eats meals. Then, Sunday comes, and we go out for brunch with friends. A few drinks and entrees later (and maybe even a dessert or two), we feel like we are back at square one. This happens because we can be temporal myopic creatures. This focus on short-term feelings over long-term results can have a profound impact on many aspects of our lives, including our approach to gambling.
What Is Temporal Myopia?
Temporal myopia is a way of thinking that values immediate rewards far more than future ones. Think of it like looking at the world through a special lens. Whatever is right in front of you appears huge, vivid, and incredibly important. Everything in the distance, like your goals for next week, next month, or next year, seems small, blurry, and insignificant. It is a common human cognitive shortcut that we all have to navigate.
Your brain prioritizes the pleasure or relief you can get right now over the potential benefits or consequences that may come later. The “now” feels real and concrete, while the “later” feels abstract and far away. This simple preference for immediate gratification can shape our decisions in powerful ways.
A Trait We Have Carried for Years
This focus on the immediate is not new. It is deeply rooted in our human history. For our early ancestors, focusing on the present was a survival skill. Finding food for today was more important than planning for next season. Escaping a predator at the moment was a higher priority than building a better shelter for the future. The immediate threat or opportunity was always the most important one.
In our modern world, the “predators” have changed. They are no longer prowling the plains but can appear as financial pressures, emotional distress, or the desire for a quick escape. Our brain’s ancient wiring, however, still operates on the same principle: solve the immediate problem and grab the immediate reward. This old programming can conflict with the demands of modern life, which often requires long-term planning for financial stability, career growth, and healthy relationships.
When the “Now” Takes Over Your Life
When temporal myopia consistently drives your choices, it can begin to affect major areas of your life. The pull of the present moment can overpower your best long-term intentions. You might see its effects without even knowing its name. This way of thinking can cause friction in many personal and professional areas.
Here are a few areas of life where this short-term focus can cause difficulties:
- Career: Choosing to scroll on your phone for an hour instead of working on a project that could lead to a promotion. The immediate relief of distraction outweighs the distant possibility of career advancement.
- Education: Deciding to go to a party the night before a big exam. The immediate social benefits feel more compelling than the long-term benefits of a good grade.
- Relationships: Saying something sharp to a loved one in an argument for the momentary satisfaction of “winning” the point. This can cause long-term damage for a fleeting sense of victory.
- Health: Skipping a workout because you feel tired in the moment, even though you know regular exercise is key to your long-term wellness.
- Finances: Making an impulse purchase with a credit card instead of saving that money toward a down payment on a house or a car.
How Temporal Myopia Impacts Gamblers
For a person who gambles, this mental shortcut needs close attention. The world of gambling is built around immediate outcomes. The thrill of placing a bet, the flashing lights, and the sound of a potential win are all powerful, short-term rewards. They happen right now. They provide a quick hit of excitement or a momentary escape from other life stresses.
Temporal myopia makes that immediate rush feel monumentally important. In that moment, the potential long-term consequences, such as falling behind on bills, straining family finances, or feeling regret later, seem very small and distant. The brain says, “This feels good now,” or “This could solve my problem now.” The thought of winning the next hand or the next spin to cover past losses is another example. It’s a focus on an immediate fix for a problem that was likely caused by a series of other immediate choices, ignoring the larger financial picture.
Shifting Your Mindset from “Now” to “Later”
As humans grow and gain more life experience, many of us get better at resisting these short-term urges. We begin to recognize the patterns and value the stability of long-term planning. This is a skill that can be developed and strengthened with conscious effort. Learning to put some distance between a short-term impulse and a long-term decision is a powerful step.
Here are some ways to begin shifting that mindset and give your future self a voice:
- Create a Pause. The power of temporal myopia is in its speed. It pushes you to act instantly. You can fight this by building a mandatory waiting period into your decisions. Before you act, give yourself 10 minutes, an hour, or even a full day. This space allows the initial emotional rush to fade so you can think more clearly about the future.
- Visualize Your Future Self. Take a moment to imagine yourself a week, a month, or a year from now. What does that person want? Would this decision help them or hurt them? Making the future feel more real and personal gives it more weight in your present-day choices.
- Set Clear and Concrete Goals. A vague goal like “be better with money” is easy to ignore. A concrete goal like “I will put $100 toward my credit card bill every Friday” is specific and measurable. It creates a clear benchmark that makes it harder to justify sacrificing it for a short-term impulse.
- Break Big Goals into Small Wins. A big goal can feel so far away that it seems impossible. By breaking it into smaller, manageable steps, you create a series of small, immediate victories. Completing each step provides a positive feeling right now, which helps you stay motivated for the long journey ahead.
You Are Human, and You Can Get Help
Temporal myopia is a part of the human blueprint. We are all wired to feel the pull of the present moment. But being human also means we have the capacity for self-awareness and change. We can recognize these built-in traits and develop strategies to manage them, especially when they lead to problem gambling. You do not have to face this alone.
If you find that your choices are being driven by the “now” at the expense of your future, we are here. You can call 800-GAMBLER at our 24/7 confidential helpline (1-800-GAMBLER). We can provide you with information and resources to help you deal with the parts of us that make us human and find a path to overcome problem gambling.