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Patience is a Virtue, And it Pays Off!
Bob Ryan, About Purpose, Inc. ©2004
You’ve all heard that old joke, “Lord, give me patience. And give it now!” The reason we all think it’s funny is because we all tend to feel that way about patience. We all know it’s a virtue, but the rewards seem so elusive, that we quickly lose sight of why we wanted it in the first place. This article focuses on the rewards of patience, in the hope that as we see the practical outcomes, we will be more willing to patiently wait for patience!
Patience and persistence are closely related. Patience is defined as the capacity to tolerate trouble and delay without becoming upset. Persistence is the ability to keep on pushing through despite the trouble and delay. I believe the reason we have so much trouble with patience is that we are not persistent while being patient. Let me explain.
I have been writing this monthly newsletter now for about three years. Sometimes it feels as if it goes out into that big void called cyberspace and is swallowed up. Due to the tightening of spam filters, etc., I often have to spend hours calling people, correcting e-mail addresses and cleaning up my list. And to add insult to injury, I’ve learned that only about 50% of recipients even read the newsletter. So, why do I keep doing it?
I’m not naturally a very patient person. Even a patient person would have quit by now. But I have learned that patience plus persistence brings results. I have persistently adjusted the content, the form and even the delivery method over the years. Almost every month two or three people call, e-mail or comment in-person that the article helped them in some way. Just last week, I was rummaging through the pile of magazines in a client’s waiting room and there was a copy of my newsletter on triangulation in communication. Two or three times I have gotten a consulting or training gig because someone had read and kept a newsletter on some topic that they needed in their workplace. I have gained two new TAB board members because they kept getting my newsletters and it reminded them that they really needed the service that TAB offers.
That’s my story. Why should you be patient and persistent? Because of the payoff.
Marketing: Many studies (and your own experience) indicate that people need to hear a message multiple times before they act on it. You need to be patient. That is, don’t be discouraged when you lack immediate results. You need to be persistent. Adjust your message. Adjust your medium. Create an ongoing program of outreach to spread the news about your product or service. Response builds up. You must keep marketing constantly.
Staff Development: Taking the long view on staff development will produce two valuable outcomes. First, it will constantly raise the level of competency in your staff, and second it will increase the longevity of your staff. You have to resist the temptation to stop training and development at the first sign of failure or sense that it “didn’t take.” You need to persist, varying the method and the delivery.
Hiring: There is no more divisive practice than impulsive hiring. When you have an opening, be patient. Take time to carefully evaluate the need for the position, the position itself, and the kind of person who would best fill it. Be persistent in how you get the word out, in screening, in interviewing, and finally in orientation. Patient persistence will take a bit longer but it will definitely decrease your turnover costs.
Product/Service Improvement: One of our TAB board members has introduced an innovative new product that is doing very well. Enthusiastic customers quickly pointed out possible improvements and enhancements. He and his partner have resisted the temptation to retool immediately. Their patience and persistence in testing and gathering data have led them to a much clearer picture of what the market will purchase in an upgraded version. The results include avoiding waste of development time and money as well as increased profits from creating really solid improvements.
Patience, not Procrastination: Please note that there is a definite difference. Patience combined with persistence is the polar opposite of procrastination. It has to do with holding a long-term view while constantly working through trouble and delay.
Receptive Patience: Most of what I have described might be termed “active patience,” that is, purposely devising an ongoing program of action to overcome inertia or problems. But I also recommend “receptive patience.” It’s a term I use to describe creating an environment in which you purposely open yourself up to being challenged on your actions, your plans, your product or service. Create an environment inside or outside of your company in which you examine your patience and persistence. This is one of the roles we play for each other in our TAB Boards and which I play as a consultant. We have many stories of averted disasters because TAB Board members advised patience in taking action too quickly. (Call or e-mail me and I can help you figure out the best forum for you to work on your patience.)
Summary: The fact is, patience pays off. Next time you are feeling impatient and want to just “chuck the whole thing” or “cut to the chase,” ask yourself if you have skipped the step of being persistent in your impatience. Then think of all the benefits you lose by not combining these two vital virtues.