Today is March 31st- the last day of the month, the last day of the quarter- tomorrow is a symbolic new beginning. A fresh start in so many ways! If you had plans and goals for the first part of the year, this is the time to reflect upon them. This month, in particular, for anyone who joined me in my Personal March Madness activities, has been challenging
As I finish the month and do my reflection, one of the highest values I see will support me the most right now is that of patience. The idea of patience has come up a lot this month as several clients have pulled out this value in their sessions. I have learned to examine if something comes up for clients, whether or not it may also be for me, too. I especially start to take note when it comes up several times in a row. This is what happened to me this month with patience. AND then I start seeing it in emails including one that just arrived from John Maxwell entitled: Patience!
So, do you think you are a patient person? Check yourself against the definitions.
The definitions of patience is very interesting to me. (and I am sure there are more)
1. The bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune or pain without complaint, loss of temper or irritation.
2. Quiet, steady perseverance, diligence.
3. Abilityto suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay.
How many times do things and people get in our way and we complain, we get annoyed. We lose our focus, or start to doubt, noisily decide to quit- which throws definition #2 right out the window. How often do we get hung up not forgiving, thereby stealing our own energy, rising to bait, or getting restless which causes us then to make poor choices and decisions?
Still think you are patient? I know I have taken a hard look at it and realized I may have a level of patience by MY definition, but when I study the true meaning of the word, I have a few notches I can take it up.
I am working on big goals right now, patience allows me to pace myself and not to get discouraged. Patience allows me to focus on the big picture and even to stay in the wonder of what new opportunities, people or experiences might show up to guide me- so that I don’t need to feel the need to have it all figured out- which can make me feel restless. Patience allows me to look at setbacks for what I can learn and to identify all of it as a process- not one thing being the be-all end-all.
And for the leaders out there (by the way that is YOU) John Maxwell made a great point in his Maxwell’s Minute on patience- we want to win and as leaders we want to help others to be winning right along with us- it’s no fun to cross the finish line alone- who would you celebrate with? Patience is involved here as we sometimes have to “wait up” for people as not all people who will be following us will keep the same pace that we do. Interesting angle to consider.
Coaching questions:
Where do you use patience as a strength in your life?
Where could you employ the true meanings of patience in your life and goals/challenges right now? (Be specific and write them down.)