Have you ever heard, "Play the long game".  If not it is an expression to ensure that your goals are not short-sighted and you are not looking for immediate gratification.  In "the long game" scenario, you are looking at the bigger picture and for greater gains over a longer period of time.  Here is an excellent example of two well known individuals and how one benefited from playing the long game.

In occupational therapy, both with our patients/clients and with ourselves, we should always play the long game.