Take a deep breath – the Value of Patience

“A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else”. - George Savile

We live and work in an impatient world. Communication is instant – and constant. Information is continually flowing. There never seems to be a stop.

This has, in my opinion, created a culture of impatience. We expect – no demand – that others respond on the same timetable as information flows. And that – in itself – is crippling relationships and companies. An email that isn’t responded to in a day --- a text (heck not a phone call) not responded to immediately all raise the level of impatience and angst that one feels. Stress also causes impatience – another reason to reduce stress in your life and be fully connected to what you do, who you work and live with, and with your values.

And it is needless …

We just all need to take a deep breath, and give each and the other a break. I am as guilty as anyone else for this and I see it in my family and with some clients I work with. I certainly see it in the network of contacts I have developed over the past 24 years in this business, and it is getting to be a huge problem – for individuals, families, corporate culture and in the community.

So you know the issue. So what – what do you do?

Join in “my” campaign to reduce impatience in our immediate surroundings, and heed and try these tips:

• If you make a request of another, by phone, text email or other methods, define your expectation: Let the person know when you need to hear back from them. It is that simple. With expectations defined, you won’t get wrapped up in the “why didn’t I hear back – are they serious – really? – don’t care” – all dangerous and defeating .

• If someone asks you to do something, set your expectation for clarity. Let the other party know when you will get back to them and make it specific (not in a few days – but rather by Friday as an example) - and deliver on schedule. Your perception will be stronger as well as your brand as one who delivers. That is very important.

• Communicate – Communicate – Communicate. I receive, on average, over 250 emails a day. It can bury you. I sort through the junk (an occupational hazard of having your email on your business web site), and then focus on the actionable emails. If I cannot give a full response, I let the other party know when I will get to them – and I do it. Angst removed.

• Never assume – take it from one who was so guilt of this. If I didn’t hear back from someone right away, I would assume (definition: make a__ out of you and me) the worst and usually I was wrong. Assuming creates mind noise; I am a convert!

Above all, take a deep breath. Push back on technology. Enjoy the moments you can communicate – really communicate – with others. It is critical to leadership and you re on your way.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
Celebrating 24 years providing career management services in 2012!
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com