I don't feel I explained this well, but the mindset we have around delaying gratification is problematic. It seems like it would make sense, but isn't often your best choice. Denying your drive without being okay with the moment can cause you resent your waking moments and keep chasing waterfalls. You can keep doing the exact same work with a much better framing.
Back in the 60s, The infamous Stanford Marshmallow Experiment had a few problems with it. Nevertheless, it changed the perception that being able to delay gratification meant you would be a success. What the research now tells us is that there could be a variety of reasons why someone succeeds, and it isn't necessarily tied to willpower or your ability to "delay gratification". There are far too many other factors to be included.
My suggestion?
Live for the future, while you're living in the moment, with respect to the past.
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