Does Confidence Make You More Patient?

Patience was never one of my strong suits, but as I’ve become more confident I find that I can be more patient with less effort.

More patient at what?

I find that it’s easier for me to be patient with people whose styles are different than mine. I assimilate information quickly, decide quickly and am willing to live with the consequences.

As I’ve become more confident I find that I can be patient with people who are more deliberate in their decision-making process. I realize that they have to do more research, invest more time evaluating alternatives and the consequences associated with each alternative before they’re comfortable making a decision.

I’m also more patient in awaiting results. I know that I can’t control the outcome, I can only control my activity. When I know that I’m doing all that I can to produce the desired result, I take comfort in the fact that it will happen.

Lessons learned

Here are some lessons that I’ve learned that help me be more patient while awaiting results:

• I’ve learned that everything shows up when I need it, rarely in the timeframe I want it, but always when I need it.
• I also know that if I’m not currently getting the desired result it’s probably because I’m missing a piece of the puzzle. All I need to do is keep searching for that piece.
• I’ve learned that regardless of the outcome (the result), I’ll win. I’ll either get what i want or learn something that will help me get what I want in the future.
• I don’t allow anything to rise to the level of need. There are many things I desire, but nothing I “need” to be happy.

For you

As you feel yourself growing impatient remind yourself of the lessons outlined above. Your impatience and anxiety will quickly be replaced with optimism and a commitment to continue the activities you know will propel you toward your goal.

For our kids

When your kids become impatient, share these lessons with them. Use examples of their previous experiences to demonstrate the accuracy of the lessons and their applicability to the situation your child is facing.

Similarly, using examples from your life will work in the absence of experiences of their own. Either way they will experience less anxiety, less stress and greater confidence as they employ these lessons.

I love hearing your thoughts and experiences, please leave your comment below.

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