Patience is key. Since we were young we’ve been taught this, starting from stories like “The Tortoise and the Hare”. There are many ways that we can interpret this story. But, one of the most common understandings is that rather than starting fast and burning yourself out before you even get to the finish line, “slow and steady wins the race”. It is a common understanding that this story is a lesson in patience.

When it comes to life, we often feel as if we are in a race with not only our peers, but also ourselves. We have ideas of when we should be hitting certain significant milestones, and then when we don’t, we are disappointed in ourselves. But, having patience so we are hitting our small goals consistently will help us reach our big milestones in the long run. 

1. Worthwhile Things Take Time 

Remember when your teacher would tell you that you couldn’t write an essay in one night in school? That applies to everything in life. Trying to rush something or forcing it to happen before it should happen will only lead to disappointment. Leading a fulfilling life in all five [5] holistic areas means having the patience to ensure that you balance those areas equally and not let one fall to the wayside.

At the same time, sometimes you take an opportunity that doesn’t end up being right for you; you haven’t wasted your time; it’s ok. There isn’t a proverbial stopwatch dictating when you have to do things. It is also important to remember that when you allow yourself to take time to do things, you are prioritizing yourself and helping yourself to avoid burnout.

2. You are Moving Forward Even When it Feels Like You Aren’t 

Having the patience to move forward using small, consistent baby steps will take more time but are much better at reaching your end goal. On the other hand, trying to take the express route to success will only lead to immovable obstacles, constant setbacks and failures. You’ll learn the hard way that it would have been better if you’d just taken the long way to begin with. 

3. There is no Such Thing as Overnight Success

We usually only see the final product, not the years of work it took to get there. Yes, some people lucked out and seemed to find success sooner than others. But, if you read that person’s story, more often than not, you’ll find that the secret to their success was actually strategic planning, goal setting, and networking. Having patience and consistent drive to keep moving forward is a far more sure way to find success. 

Who is someone that you look up to? Learn their story. Let it inspire you as you move forward. 

“Nature never rushes, yet everything gets done.”

– Lao Tzu