Tag Archives: patience

Patience

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“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, and poet

Image from heyjamie.com

Image from heyjamie.com

What is the current pace of your life? If you are like many, it’s busy, rushed, in overdrive, or even hyper-drive. You may find yourself eating fast or convenience foods on the run, skipping meals altogether, or getting a boost from coffee and caffeinated energy drinks. Or just as damaging, you may be missing out on the rest and exercise your body needs to reach and maintain optimal health.

What results would be possible if you took a more patient approach to life and your top priorities? What items on your to-do list could you reduce or eliminate, to make room for a more patient and peaceful flow in your life?

EXERCISE:

What steps can and will you take to achieve a more natural and patient pace throughout your day?

How can you make this practice a daily habit?

A new book that will definitely help you progress in these areas is On Target Living, by Chris Johnson.

“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

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“If you want to gather honey, don’t kick over the beehive.”

—Dale Carnegie, American writer and lecturer

Photo from Flickr by Mini Cooper

Photo from Flickr by Mini Cooper

Few among us have not experienced a bee sting at some point in our lives.

Honey bees are gentle by nature, and can be found in almost all urban and rural environments. Only when we disturb their gentle worlds do we find ourselves at the end of their stingers.

It is in our best interest to care for these important creatures because of their role in our environment and food supplies.

EXERCISE:

How can you gain greater sweetness from life from the people in your professional and personal worlds by taking a more gentle and nurturing approach in your daily interactions?

“Patience is the Companion of Wisdom.”

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“Patience is the Companion of Wisdom.”

—St. Augustine, early Christian Theologian

Photo from Flickr by Thomas Mues

Photo from Flickr by Thomas Mues

When was the last time you watched a great leader give an inspiring speech? If you are like me, you occasionally enjoy a provocative TED Talk. The TED tagline is “Ideas Worth Spreading.”

Over the years, I’ve seen that the best leaders and presenters talk a bit more slowly than most. They measure their words carefully, to achieve the impact they desire. As I listen to them, I find myself slowing down, and leaning in to hear every morsel of wisdom they present.

EXERCISE:

Where would greater patience, and slowing down your busy life help you contribute and capture the wisdom of the moment?

“Eating an artichoke is like…”

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“Eating an artichoke is like getting to know someone really well.”

—Willi Hastings (attributed)

Photo from Flickr by sterotyp_0815

Photo from Flickr by sterotyp_0815

I have never prepared or eaten an entire artichoke, only the hearts from a can or those marinated in a jar.

Hasting’s statement peaked my curiosity and I wondered, “How difficult could this be?” If you are like me, you simply go to your favorite search engine and query the universe.

I learned that there is an eleven-step process to preparing and eating an artichoke. If the process is not followed closely, you could experience considerable digestive challenges, and problems with your garbage disposal as well.

How is eating an artichoke like getting to know someone really well?  If you truly wish to get to the heart of another and develop a close, quality relationship, it takes time, patience, care, and attention to detail.

EXERCISE:

Examine the relationships you hope to make or take to a new level, professionally or personally. How would a patient and somewhat methodical approach yield the lasting, substantial relationships you desire?

“Patience is also a form of action.”

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“Patience is also a form of action.”

—Auguste Rodin, French Sculptor

Photo from Flickr by Karen Neoh

Photo from Flickr by Karen Neoh

Rodin’s “The Thinker” is among the world’s most recognized works of art.

I wonder what Rodin would think about our 21st century, 24/7 world in overdrive.

Perhaps today his call for patience is an even more precious form of action that allows for better discernment, better decision making, and better actions.

EXERCISE:

With whom, and in what situations, would greater patience be the appropriate action in your life?

Please share your intention to expand your capacity for patience, to potentially reap greater benefits within your personal or professional communities.

“Patience is the ballast of the soul, that will keep it from rolling and tumbling in the greatest storms.”

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“Patience is the ballast of the soul, that will keep it from rolling and tumbling in the greatest storms.”

– Charles Hopkins, Irish poet and dramatist

Photo from Flickr by

Photo from Flickr by Mary Harrsch

I went grocery shopping with my dad Sunday morning. The store was packed with shoppers. We chose the shortest checkout line, with the intention of making a quick exit. Our strategy was thwarted by the very nice lady ahead of us, who had about 50 small items in her cart, one of which required a price check that took what felt like a century to complete.

Fortunately, dad and I knew this experience was simply an exercise in patience. We took it in stride, smiled at one another, and were amused in watching others work through their issues with the delay.

EXERCISE:

Where would demonstrating greater patience help you sail through the big and little storms of your soul, to enhance your personal or professional life today?

Wait for the answer

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“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”

– William S. Burroughs, American writer

468Image from Flickr by anieto2k.

One of my favorite phrases about coaching is “coaches let their questions do the heavy lifting.” If this is true – and I assert that it is – then we can all coach others, be coached by others, and even coach ourselves. We need only ask the right questions, then relax as our answers reveal themselves.

It is through this personal inquiry that our question-answering muscles do the work and allow us to grow and evolve.

Exercise:

What one or two important questions do you need to ask and answer for yourself today?

“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”

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“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”

– Saadi, medieval Persian poet

Photo by Tyler Milligan on Unsplash

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.