I have always harboured a certain fixation on worldly success, yet I tend to be overly eager for instant gratification, easily becoming anxious when results are not immediately apparent.

It’s understandable to feel a strong pull towards worldly success, especially in a society that often equates achievement with self-worth. Your eagerness for quick results is a common experience in our fast-paced world. It's important to recognize that these feelings of anxiety when outcomes aren’t immediate are natural and valid. You are not alone in these feelings, and acknowledging them is the first step towards understanding and growth. Remember, it’s okay to seek success and it’s equally okay to feel anxious about the journey. From a Buddhist perspective, the fixation on worldly success can be seen as a form of attachment, which often leads to suffering. Buddhism teaches us the value of impermanence and the importance of detachment from outcomes. This doesn’t mean you should not strive for success, but rather, you might consider focusing on the journey rather than the destination. Finding contentment in the present moment, regardless of results, can help alleviate anxiety. Meditation and mindfulness practices can aid in cultivating patience and acceptance, allowing you to appreciate the process without clinging to immediate results. Psychologically, the urge for instant gratification is linked to our brain’s reward system. It’s a survival instinct to seek immediate rewards, but in modern life, this can lead to stress and anxiety when things don’t go as planned. Understanding this can help you develop strategies to manage these impulses. Cognitive-behavioral techniques can be particularly effective in reframing thoughts that lead to anxiety when immediate results aren’t met. By challenging these thoughts and replacing them with more balanced perspectives, you can reduce stress and improve your emotional resilience. As a practical step forward, I encourage you to set small, achievable goals that align with your broader vision of success. Break down your larger ambitions into smaller tasks and celebrate each small victory along the way. Practice gratitude daily by reflecting on what you have accomplished and learned, rather than what is still undone. Incorporate regular mindfulness or meditation sessions into your routine to center yourself and develop patience. Remember, success is not just about reaching the destination but also about who you become along the way.