Short-Term vs Long-Term

I was pondering the difficulty of working for the long term when short-term benefits seem to get in the way. By example, I am working on my weight (again) and this morning I had a choice between a high carb breakfast or a high protein breakfast. Now, if I'm taking the long view I choose the high protein breakfast (I did), however the short-term benefit of the taste of the much more delicious high carb breakfast was eating away at me (no pun intended).

This is a lot like most of our lives. We struggle between the short-term rewards and the long-term goals. Whether it's money, food, a job or a relationship (or any other aspect of life) it is very easy to succumb to the lure of the short-term reward. I feel good NOW by doing this versus taking a longer view and reaping a much greater benefit in the future. I know this is a difficulty for me. I'm sure it is for many.
So, the question is whether or not to withstand the short-term deprivation to foster the long-term goal. Some days I do, some I don't. I figure that if there are more days when I do, I'm ahead of the game.

As I see it, long-term goals tend to move my life in the direction I want to go while the short-term reward feels good in the moment but prolongs or even prevents achieving the long-term goal.

My advice? Take an extra couple of minutes to ponder the cost/benefit ratio before making the decision and hopefully you will make the choice that leads to long-term success.