Patience: The Secret Weapon Of The Strongest Minds

In a study done by the journal of positive psychology where 72 participants were asked to complete various questionnaires and scales. The results showed that patience is positively correlated with various aspects of well being, life satisfaction and self esteem. Individuals who were more patient could exert more effort in pursuing goals in the long run. In a world that constantly pushes us to move fast, do more, be everything and everywhere at once, the virtue of patience has never been more powerful and more overlooked. And as the study shows, patience doesnt just help your mental clarity, it helps you achieve your goals and find higher levels of happiness. Let’s dive into finding patience.

The Impatience of Modern Life

Let’s define patience. Patience is the ability to endure difficult situations, delays, or challenges without succumbing to anger or frustration. It’s a stoic feeling where you remain composed despite adversity.

Impatience is the tendency to be easily restless when things do not happen quickly. It pushed for immediate results.

The challenge we face today is that everything in our environment pushes us toward impatience. Instant gratification is the norm. We want our food delivered within 15 minutes, our emails responded to in seconds, and our success achieved overnight. Social media gives us a huge amount of instant dopamine hits. We swipe videos that take too long to get to the point, we skip parts of long-form videos that we don’t want to hear, we skip songs on the drive to work because they’re not what we’re in the mood for. Stop for a second and think about all the tasks you do on a daily bases that build upon being impatient. There’s probably a few right? I fall into this category myself. Now, think of the practices you do daily that help build patience. Are they more, or are they less? Maybe you’re a parent and you practice patience with your children, maybe you’re a manager, (me) and you practice patience working with a wide variety of employees and understanding how each are different. But, do you, in your own life, practice more on being impatient, or patient? Impatience is not just a personal inconvenience; it can be detrimental to our mental health, relationships, and long-term goals. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wanting everything now, but this mindset can lead to rash decisions, unnecessary stress, and a perpetual state of dissatisfaction. Patience, on the other hand, is often seen as passive, even weak. We might associate it with sitting back and waiting, doing nothing while the world moves on without us. But patience is far from passive; it’s a disciplined, active engagement with time. It’s about understanding that some things are worth the wait, that growth takes time, and that true success often comes to those who are willing to persist through delays and setbacks.

Cultivating Patience as a Strength

The first step in embracing patience is to change the way you perceive delays. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, view them as opportunities for reflection, growth, and learning. For example, if you’re waiting for a promotion at work, instead of feeling frustrated by the delay, use this time to build new skills, strengthen relationships, and prepare yourself for the responsibilities that come with that promotion. By doing so, you not only make yourself a more valuable asset to your organization, but you also shift your mindset from impatience to proactive development.

Consider the story of Steve Jobs, who was ousted from Apple in 1985. Instead of wallowing in impatience to reclaim his position, Jobs used the time to found NeXT and invest in Pixar, both of which were instrumental in his eventual return to Apple. When he came back in 1997, he was not only more mature but also equipped with the experiences that would lead Apple to unprecedented success. His patience allowed him to transform a setback into an opportunity for growth.

Practicing mindfulness can be a critical asset to being patient. By being present in the moment, you can learn to observe your impatience without reacting to it. This doesn’t mean ignoring the urge to act but rather understanding it and choosing a more thoughtful response. When you’re mindful, you can recognize the value in waiting and appreciate the journey rather than just the destination.

Let’s look at the world of investing. Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, is known for his patient approach. He famously said, "The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient." Instead of chasing quick returns, Buffett invests in companies he believes will grow steadily over time, and his patience has paid off in spades. His strategy is a testament to the power of patience in achieving long-term success.

Another way to foster patience is by setting long-term goals that require sustained effort over time. When you have a clear vision of where you want to go, you’re less likely to be swayed by the need for immediate results. Long-term goals give you a sense of purpose and direction, making it easier to endure short-term setbacks and delays.

Let’s loop back to the research article. the article showcased three types of patience. Interpersonal, dealing with others. Life hardship, enduring significant life challenges. daily hassles, dealing with every day frustrations. Think of ways you can improve your patience in these three critical areas. The article mentions that a proven way used on the participants to increase patience was through group discussions, exercise, and meditation. I find the group discussions to be quite interesting. It seems that by having participants actively listen to and participate in discourse, their patience increased.

Embracing Patience as a Lifelong Virtue

Patience is more than just the ability to wait; it’s the wisdom to recognize that some things take time to mature and bear fruit. It’s a powerful virtue that, when cultivated, can lead to greater success, deeper relationships, and a more fulfilling life. By reframing delays as opportunities, practicing mindfulness, and setting long-term goals, you can transform impatience into a source of strength.

As you navigate the challenges of modern life, remember that patience is not about doing nothing—it’s about doing the right things at the right time. It’s about trusting the process and understanding that good things truly do come to those who wait. So, the next time you feel the urge to rush or push ahead, take a step back, breathe, and let patience guide you. You’ll find that the rewards of a patient mindset far exceed the fleeting satisfaction of instant gratification.