Truer words were never spoke.
It does seem, more and more, that people today tend to think instant results are what is coveting or even really possible. I suppose we live in an increasingly 'instant world' so it stands to reason. But, I think people live so much through the fiction of entertainment, wherein one's lifes problems and goals have to be solved in an hour or through a montage, that people's concept of reality is blurred. They are waiting for their montage set with a rock ballad where they go from struggling artist to superstar in 5 minutes :)
I have had people ask me, "how do you get so much done?" and I always say the same thing, "I do it! A lot, every day and I make lists and stick to schedules"
A friend was surprised when I told them I spend at least 6 hours a day in the actual act of creating (that is pen to paper, brush to canvas, digital tool to screen) and that does not include thinking time and planning time for that work.
Even when engaged in other tasks, like my garden or even changing over my cottages I let in the Summer, I am thinking of my art and what I would do here or there and if the idea strikes, I take five minutes and scribbled or sketch in down in a journal I always have at the ready.
Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could, a famous song once said and it is so true.
My grandfather always said work hard first thing each day and then you can have the rest of the day to hardly work. And that is what I do, I work hard to earn my free time :)
I like your grandfather's attitude. That's one of things I also changed in recent times, is sleeping and waking habits. I find I achieve so much more when I start out early in the day. The daily habits are crucial to one's success.
“You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” ― John C. Maxwell
Ever since I have taken that to heart, I have step by step been turning my life around.
Yes, I think you have nailed it by linking the tendency of instant gratification to the fiction of video / film entertainment. Advertising is a big culprit also. The lines are blurred between entertainment and advertising these days. People's inadequacies are preyed upon to sell more.
"Oh, not successful yet? Then purchase our product / service for an instant fix."