By Jessamyn Guinanao
In a world where society is addicted to faster living in which anything can happen at the touch of one’s fingertips – patience only seems pointless and inhibiting. However, it is exactly what we need most today.
Every day, people hustle and bustle, expecting their desired outcome as soon as possible, while patiently waiting is associated with idleness or not getting any work done. But as Ishita Tiwari puts it, “Patience is an art of waiting with the right attitude and perseverance.” It is not about waiting for things to go your way but accepting that your actions may not always be met with quick responses. Just as Malcolm Gladwell wrote in Outliers: The Story of Success, one must put in 10,000 hours of hard work to master something and witness differences. Learning to be patient with yourself and others is fundamental to thriving in today’s quick-moving and constantly-evolving environment.
The 21st century is brimming with technology and the Internet, permitting us to get answers whenever we need them, purchase several products with a single click, and communicate with people from the other room or the other side of the world. Although such advancements do make our tasks simpler, individuals have grown accustomed to instant gratification, making it easier to become anxious and frustrated when results are prolonged. Thus, people may settle for less when they are too impatient to wait for better opportunities. A series of experiments on delayed gratification conducted at Stanford University supports this theory. Children were given a small treat, which they were allowed to eat immediately. If they waited to eat it until the researcher returned, they would get two goodies or a preferred one. The researcher came back to the room after 10 or 15 minutes. Some children had already eaten the treat immediately, while others claimed their grander prize for waiting patiently. Follow-up studies found that those who were patient generally had better outcomes later in childhood.
Furthermore, practicing patience at school or in the workplace is also a significant component of success. Today, other valuable skills include communication, leadership, creativity, adaptability, and teamwork. Learning all these skills is certainly possible, but it is impossible without patience. It is crucial to take your time – be patient with yourself and others to acquire such skills. For example, verbal communication skills were rated as the most vital skill required in job applicants, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). To obtain this ability, one must first master patience. A patient person is a good listener who knows not to interrupt when one is speaking, can respond in a way that is understandable and easy to connect with, and knows how to empathize with and encourage others. Such behavior would enable you to collaborate efficiently with your schoolmates or officemates, leading to a healthy atmosphere that is friendly and welcoming for all.
Overall, patience is beneficial for your emotional freedom. It is not just a single virtue; it also links to self-control, humility, and generosity. Being patient allows you to accept and rise above situations you cannot control, prevents you from making hasty decisions you’ll regret, and enables you to build long-term relationships. These would essentially lead you to flourish and reach your aspirations. Therefore, in today’s world, patience is the most important trait – which many lack but everyone desires. It is challenging to develop, but just as every skill requires, mastering patience also takes 10,000 hours or the rest of your life. Either way, the key to being patient is patience itself.