One thing we all need in this life is patience.

Patience is a key component to the success of your life. Most things don’t happen when we want them to happen. So our success is dependent on our ability to practice patience.

My father and I enjoy playing the game of golf. Our scores could be lower, but nonetheless we enjoy the game. One of the greatest tools needed while playing golf is patience. Regardless of whether you play golf or not, it is quite easy to see that it takes patience. I have heard many people say, “Watching golf is like watching paint dry.”

There are many similarities when you think about golf and life. I’m not writing this blog to convince you to play golf, but I would like to persuade you to practice patience.

Have you been in a situation when you had to practice patience? You have waiting for something to happen, but it doesn’t happen when you expect for it to happen. It may be taking a relationship to the next level. It could be you are waiting on a financial breakthrough. You may be looking for a new job.

Whatever it may be, we all have been in this position. When you find yourself in this position, what do you usually do? Do you make a quick, but irrational decision? Or do you take you take your time and make the right decision?

First, I do completely understand some decisions have to be made quickly. If it is an urgent matter, you don’t have time to wait. For example, making a decision about heart surgery after the doctor gives you factual evidence that you may not live to see tomorrow. This would be an urgent situation.

However, many of the decisions we make daily are urgent matters. That doesn’t mean they are unimportant, it just means they aren’t high on the priority list. Hopefully after today you will have 7 strategies to help you be a more patient person. It is the key to your success.

1. Ask yourself why are you impatient with certain things. We are all impatient with something. The busier our schedules get, we tend to be more impatient. We begin to stretch ourselves too thin, which makes us more prone to be impatient.

2. Write it down. For one to two weeks, write down any time when you are rushed or a sense of impatience. Write down what you are doing with the sense of impatience rises. Be detailed and consistent. You just may find the cause of your impatience.

3. Focus on the task at hand. Many people are impatient because they have busy lives. No matter how busy we are, there is no justification for us to be impatient. We will find ourselves being more effective, productive, and successful if we will choose to focus on one task at a time.

4. Step back and be a passive observer. So many people would be more patient and successful if they would only take a step back and passively observe your situation. This doesn’t mean you are a lazy, but it makes you a more intentional and strategic in the way you will deal with your situation in the future. When you step back, step back without a purpose and after surveying the situation then develop a plan.

5. Develop a motto. We are familiar with sayings such as,

“Don’t worry, be happy.”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

You are not going to come up with a motto to fake yourself into believing things are okay. You are going to come up with a motto not only you will say, but more importantly I strongly encourage you to live by your words.

6. See the big picture. Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It is okay to focus on the one step, but remember we must reach a thousand miles. Whatever success may be for you, keep that at the forefront of your mind so you can understand why you need to patient. Just remember, you cannot get to point of being successful without having some form of patience.

7. Discipline yourself to practice these strategies. It easy to say what you will do, but it is harder to do it. Teach and encourage yourself to follow some of these strategies.

Patience will ensure our success if we will make it part of who we are. Every morning I challenge you to wake up planning and seeking opportunities to practice patience. Discovering ways to be patient will lead to limitless opportunities to be successful.

Question: What is keeping you from patiently planning for your future? Leave your comments below.

Peace and Prosperity,

Bryant Hall

MTN Universal, LLC