The Importance of Being Patient
Tell me, who doesn't want to reduce their stress levels, make more effective decisions and improve upon their current relationships in both the work and personal environment?
Much like diets never work but 'healthy eating' does, patience is also a key continual effort that
can transform your day-to-day social exertion. And, as with everything, it starts with you.
We all know that in the current here and now, we can't write the words 'instant gratification' quick enough. Frustration is merely a by-product of our daily routine -- the kids aren't fighting and there was no queue at the supermarket, but if we can't find our sunglasses in the car on the way home we curse the sun for shining so brightly.
Our reactions to the annoyances in our world -- typically things outside of our control and namely other people -- are many; irritability, accusation, victimisation, irrationality, and so on. Though patience can be seen as passive emotional practice, in reality, watching, learning and knowing when and in what way to react brings enormous, positive power to the beholder and enables us to form healthy, functional relationships.
We are taught not to 'bottle up' our agitation for fear of explosion and whilst expression is healthy, the teachings around how exactly to pour it out are lacking. Wallowing in it brings unending dissatisfaction with our world that is even harder to treat, yet blowing up in someone's face inevitably results in the raising of hackles. It's not our fault... It just doesn't come naturally to a lot of us, and learning how to do so from an unthreatening place is hard work.
Transforming your attitude to patience, and learning and practicing tolerance places control within your immediate reach. That team member you can't stand but must work alongside isn't oblivious to your dislike and probably feels the strain your behavioural differences are putting on your relationship, (as goes for the rest of the team). You're so different that you don't understand each other, and everything gets lost in translation. To know your own self, the way you respond to stress, your values, your dislikes, your weaknesses, allows you to efficiently communicate. To know someone else in that way pushes the doors wide open for authentic and improved communication and relationships, especially if they've got the same on you. The Discovery® colour model and Personal Profiles is accessible in exactly this way, and that's why we've been using it successfully for more than a decade.
Sportspeople do it, lawyers do it, chefs do it, you name it. They all have a firm background knowledge of their game; it's that tactical play or the closing defence statement. When it comes to the world of business, it's undeniable in this day and age that the people of an organisation are the heart and lungs of the thing. It is VITAL that your people are engaged, happy, and working together effectively to sustain, grow and profit your business.
