“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”
– Saadi, medieval Persian poet
A common characteristic of hard-driving “type A” people is impatience. Often, this quality leads to considerable success. It can, however, also often have a dark side.
I’m currently reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. There’s considerable evidence from her research that introverts often demonstrate greater patience and often greater mastery of tasks that require patience and persistence in practice.
Exercise:
In what areas of your personal and professional life would greater patience support greater success? Watch Cain’s “The Power of Introverts” TED talk or consider reading the book … if you have the patience.