Motivation Information

How To Become More Patient


"Lord give me patience - and hurry!"

Have you ever prayed this prayer? You've had plenty of opportunities to, haven't you? I don't know about you, but I tend to overestimate what I can accomplish in the hours I have, and underestimate the hassles that will accompany those tasks that seemed simple when I took them on. Patience is an essential skill for both organizational leaders and team members.

The good news is?patience can be learned.

The bad news is?patience is only learned through opportunities to practice it!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PATIENCE

Why is patience so important in the Magnetic Workplace? As you well know, hassles are the stuff of which daily schedules are made. The ability to stay calm and to adjust quickly when plans are thwarted is a necessary tool in every individual's repertoire of coping skills.

A manager's patience is especially important. If a person in a leadership role blows up easily, everyone else will be "invited" to do the same. Patience is also essential as the manager coaches and develops people. Growth does not occur in a smooth, upward pathway. Even in the best of cases, there are setbacks, disappointments, and struggles. There will be occasions in which the manager has invested time and energy into a team member, only to have him or her bail out or even betray the leader.

Everyone's patience is challenged when major organizational changes are attempted. An organizational culture is a powerful force, and positive changes in the system take time. (It seems, unfairly, that negative changes can occur almost instantly!)

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING PATIENCE

1. Become more realistic in your expectations. "Stuff happens", and the sooner we acknowledge that, the more accurately we can plan the tasks in our lives. Optimism is good, but unrealistic optimism about uninterrupted smooth sailing can sabotage the completion of important tasks. Expect and plan for delays, complications, and setbacks. You'll be better prepared if they happen, and delighted if they don't!

2. View setbacks as temporary. Research shows that the most resilient people are able to view problems as temporary. They often use the adage, "This, too, shall pass."

3. Keep the mentality of the problem-solver, not the victim. The theme song of people with the victim mentality is, "Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me." They see themselves as unfortunate pawns of negative forces and other people who control their destinies. Problem-solvers, on the other hand, look at negative situations to discover what they can do. They are able to distinguish the things over which they have control vs. the things that they can't change. Within the conditions they face, they stay involved and active in doing the little things that make a difference. They work especially diligently in keeping their own internal reactions positive and constructive.

4. Reject bitterness. Bitterness is the result of anger that is not resolved. It's a killer?psychologically, relationally, and physically! Bitter people are anything but patient. They have short fuses, overreacting when even unrelated situations remind them of the person or event they resent. Resolve conflicts promptly, and/or choose to forgive and move on!

5. Remember your successes in other difficult situations. When you find yourself in a mess that seems unending, and you wonder if you'll ever make it?take heart! Remember that you've been in tough situations before, and you're still here. Recall times that looked impossible, but you found a way. Have faith that this time will be no exception.

Dr. Bev Smallwood is a psychologist who has worked with organizations across the globe for over 20 years. Her high-energy, high-content, high-involvement Magnetic Workplaces (r) programs provide dozens of practical strategies and skills that can be put to work immediately to:

  • build strong leaders who influence and develop others through serving;

  • energize, motivate, and retain team members;

  • successfully accomplish important organizational transitions; and

  • impress customers and build their loyalty.

  • Review a complete list of her programs available for your convention or corporate meeting at the website, www.MagneticWorkplaces.com.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    msnbc.com

    Keeping up with Spartans gives New Mexico State motivation for next season
    MLive.com
    AP PhotoNew Mexico State coach Marvin Menzies calls to his team in the second half against Michigan State. ...
    Focused Spartans should secure spot in next roundDetroit Free Press
    MSU's Izzo visits Heathcote to start NCAAsSeattle Post Intelligencer
    One small step …The Spokesman Review
    Royal Oak Daily Tribune -MLive.com -Detroit Free Press
    all 452 news articles »


    NHL.com

    Devils shouldn't need added motivation heading towards playoffs
    The Star-Ledger - NJ.com
    It was suggested that battling the Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division should give the Devils some motivation down the stretch, ...
    Power play key in division questNHL.com

    all 8 news articles »


    The Guardian

    Ancelotti focused on Chelsea double glory
    ESPN
    "It's to put a new motivation in all the club,'' Ancelotti said. "To shift the objectives because we were focused on the Champions League and now we've ...
    Carlo Ancelotti has Double incentive to reinforce his Chelsea futureThe Guardian
    Only a 'double' can ease Carlo Ancelotti's Champions League painDaily News & Analysis
    CARLO ANCELOTTI: I WON'T BE AXEDDaily Star

    all 210 news articles »


    National Post

    Butler, West Virginia never short on motivation
    Yahoo! Sports
    Butler has earned his reputation as one of the nation's top clutch performers by using every perceived slight against him as a motivational tool. ...
    WVU players motivated by last season's early tournament exitCharleston Gazette

    all 528 news articles »


    Prefixmag

    DX News Bits: Jeezy Loses His "Young", Romeo
    HipHopDX
    While preparing for his fourth studio album Thug Motivation 103, southern rapper Young Jeezy has changed his rap name to simply Jeezy, according to Def ...
    Young Jeezy Drops The 'Young' From His MonikerBallerStatus.com
    Young Jeezy No Longer "Young," Now Just JeezyPrefixmag
    Young Jeezy Changes AliasThe BoomBox (blog)
    Rap-Up.com -Broward New Times (blog) -Sick Hop (blog)
    all 9 news articles »


    Atlanta Journal Constitution

    Direction, motivation key to job search
    Atlanta Journal Constitution
    You can't navigate today's workplace without encountering change. Job seekers need to find a new job, start a business or retrain for ...

    and more »


    The Daily Collegian Online

    Lions' schedule offers motivation
    The Daily Collegian Online
    But Price and the Lions use the disrespect as a motivation to improve for the next time they play a "hotbed" team. Everyday, the team packs into the ...

    and more »


    Money doesn't always equal motivation
    Chiropractic Economics
    Well, times haven't changed as far as that's concerned and acknowledgement of a job well done ranks high on the list of motivational techniques. ...



    Bryce Elie uses trauma and famous uncle's support as motivation
    New York Post
    When Bryce Elie was asked his father, Clark Elie's, whereabouts, he said he wasn't around. Not gone, although Clark passed away Oct. 24 in ...



    Globe and Mail

    Age, motivation will decide when and if he can return to old self
    ESPN
    Beckham could be back on the field within eight months, but his age -- he'll be 35 years old in May -- and motivation will go a long way in determining how ...
    David Beckham's motivation to return is questioned by AC Milan's Clarence SeedorfTelegraph.co.uk
    Seedorf questions Beckham's motivation to returnReuters South Africa
    Fabio Capello offers David Beckham role in England backroom staff for 2010 ...Telegraph.co.uk

    all 5,476 news articles »

    Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006