You Are Ahead, So? Tips for Developing Patience

photo courtesy of spiritualquestions.org.uk

‘PATIENCE is not just about waiting for something… it’s about how you wait, or your attitude while waiting’ – Joyce Meyer. In a fast moving world, where friends, colleagues and loved ones compare and differentiate you from others, how do you develop patience and stick it out? How do you develop patience when time seems to be running out? Let me first share this story

South Africa is 6 hours ahead of America, but it does not mean that America is slow, and it does not mean that South Africa is faster. Both countries are working based on their "Time Zone". Someone is still single at 45 with a child while someone gets married at 25 and waits 15 years to have a child…Someone graduates at the age of 22, yet waits 8 years before securing a job, and there is another who graduates at the age of 29 and secures employment few months after…Someone becomes a CEO at the age of 25 and dies at the age of 50 while another becomes a CEO at the age of 50 and lives to 90. The reality of life requires patience.

Everything works based on its "Time Zone". Some people have everything working faster for them while for others things work slowly, as it seems. What is important is to "work in your 'time zone”. We are all created differently, and for a purpose. While you do your best and work hard and smart, never forget that things will happen at their appointed time. So be patient, while not folding your arms.

In a fast moving world, where friends, colleagues and loved ones compare and differentiate you from others, how do you develop patience and stick it out? How do you get patient when all plans and prospects seem not to be working, when business is slow, when it seems like you are failing or not making an impact? How do you develop patience when time seems to be running out? I am glad you asked.

photo courtesy of theemotionmachine.com

Developing patience starts from little steps

Set a day where patience is your goal. Make effort to be deliberate in all your activities on this day. At the end of the day, review your day and judge how you fared. You can do this exercise 2 twice a week, and increase it as you master the ropes.

Learn to go slow but steady. This can be daunting in our world. But remember that the fastest doesn’t always win, and the slowest doesn’t always lose. Do not be deceived by all the hype, ‘the patient dog still eats the fattest bone, in so far as he keeps working at it’

Learn to read and get creative. You will be shocked how much patience reading and doing creative work require. Learn to write a story, an article, have your own blog, read to children, do community service, do something outside your circle, and see your patience level increase.

Identify when you do act on impulse and deal with it. Learn to practice delayed gratification.

Quit the ‘compare mentality’. Stop comparing yourself with others. Work on and master your own turf.

If you are unable to practice patience your career may be short-lived, sadly.

Remember the words of Osman Minkara, ‘If you quit—quitting will become easier and easier for the rest of your life’. Quitting is a sign of impatience.

Whether you succeed or not, is really in your hands. Remember that when you set the sails, God sends the wind.

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