Being patient is not always easy.
In this age of instant gratification, where we can get so much of what we want so quickly, people seem less patient than ever before. We don’t like to wait. We don’t want to wait. We want what we want, and we want it now.
Often though, it is better to take a second to slow down. There is actually some value in practicing patience. Sometimes NOT getting what we want, can actually benefit us.
This might not seem logical, but there are many ways that patience can truly “pay off”:
The Lessons Learned
When you practice patience – be it while doing an important task, or taking your time making a decision – you learn something. Since you aren’t rushing towards the goal, you have more time to process the path towards it. You will notice things that you may have missed if you were less patient. The lessons learned along the path of patience are a massive pay off.
Practicing Delayed Gratification
The idea of us wanting what we want instantly was mentioned earlier. There isn’t always a problem with this, unless you let your expectations get the best of you. If you expect to achieve something right away, or get something you want instantly – you may be let down when it doesn’t happen.
Taking the time to work towards goals/rewards will make you more resilient in the times when you don’t get what you want right away.
Bigger Payoffs
Sometimes the patient route directly leads to a bigger payout. This is often seen in the world of investing. People notice that their stocks are dipping in times of economic uncertainty, so they act right away and sell at a loss. Patient people will ride these bumps out, and in fact may buy more because they feel stocks are at a “discount”. This patient method has traditionally done well in the long run.
And of course, it far out performs the people who acted impatiently and sold at a loss.
Patience might not seem like the best way to get what you want, but being able to practice it when needed will make things a lot easier for you. It will help you learn powerful lessons the first time. You will be abler to deal with life when it doesn’t meet your expectations. And you never know, it may lead to a bigger reward in the end.
