By Sunny Simon
Recently I’ve become involved in a very large project, one that will have a significant impact on my life. It’s not a solo venture. I am joined by a partner. This endeavor has many moving parts meaning I do not have full control and must often rely on others to reach a successful outcome. Daily I touch all the bases by data diving for pertinent facts, meeting with the players for status updates and sometimes engaging in long debates with my partner on whether we take a radical step forward or remain in a wait and see pattern.
Getting to the finish line requires employing all of the above, but the most difficult factor to deal with is patience. There are days when I happily receive progress updates and smile contently knowing on some unknown date we will brake out the champagne, raise glasses and do a victory lap. On other days, I feel so frustrated I want to kick some butt and engage in a bout of heavy duty ranting. Notice I said “want to.” Giving way to my baser instincts is not the answer. It would accomplish only the fleeting relief that follows venting.
You’ve been there, right? How do we get ourselves to surrender to time instead of demanding we want it now? A number of strategies can be employed to ease frustration and return to the land of peace and harmony.
Let’s begin with the glass half-full viewpoint. Review your progress to date with pride. Embarking on challenging projects takes courage and fortitude which is cause for at least one high five. Consider the milestones. Moving from phase one to the next level counts for a fist bump or two.
Find inspiration by engaging in a flashback moment. Think of a time when exercising patience brought great reward. Saint Augustine nailed it when he professed, “Patience is the companion of wisdom.” When impatience threatens, suck it up and let your wiser self take the lead.
Change your thoughts. When my partner told me I was obsessing over the situation, I didn’t like hearing it. Turns out he was right. Making the shift I focused on other things which restored tranquility and made for a more pleasant me.
Few of us have the patience of Job, but like any other skill, we rarely get it right the first time. With practice we can improve. Things worth waiting for take time. In my case, sooner would be better than later, but I’m practicing patience.
Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching and the author of the blog www.lifeonthesunnyside.net
