One of the core organizing principles of my life is that success comes through a delicate balance between making things happen and letting things happen.
One of the core organizing principles of my life is that success comes through a delicate balance between making things happen and letting things happen.
ROBIN S. SHARMA
I enjoyed this aphorism because it pointed out to me one of my core Achilles heels…. Patience.
One of the great joys of being very alpha, is the mindset that if you want something to come to fruition, you simply put your ingenuity into it and you make it happen. I write about this philosophy all the time.
But what about those times where you are really better served STFU and letting things run their natural course? In truth, I have not been anywhere near as strong in that category as the prospect of jumping in and making it happen.
In truth, I can point to a series of destroyed opportunities in my past that were destroyed out of my own inability to chill out and just let things be. There was always a voice in my mind that says, if it is not going the way that I want it to go, then perhaps I would be wiser to add my efforts to the equation and force the next event to transpire.
The reality is that forcing the next event to transpire is not always the right chess move. Sometimes, we are far wiser to take a breath, watch and wait.
Patience truly is a virtue. It is (for me) an acquired skill. I am able to report substantial growth in this category over time, but I am (very) far from perfect in this regard.
That said, when viewed from a proper distance (in time) it is very clear to me that patience has been as much my undoing, as not.
There are times when Carpe diem (seize the day) is unquestionably the right move when the opportunity at hand is to be won, and other times when it proves to be catastrophic as the approach.
Only living and trying your best to understand when these moments arise will guide you into your greater ability to discern what is appropriate for each and every circumstance.
If you suffer from lack of patience, try taking an event that is less important to you, in which you would normally force the move of the other party, and instead, go dormant. Silence is a key strategy in professional and personal relationships. Sometimes, you are wiser to let the silence scream out at the other party, than you jumping in and behaving like a bull in a china closet.
In that silence, take the time to observe not only what is happening on their side, but also, how you are feeling inside. If your inner child is screaming at you to make that move, quiet that child. Explain that this is a step on the path to maturity and enable yourself to wait it out, no matter how excruciating the waiting period becomes.
When you know deep inside that something is truly right, it will work out. Sometimes through carpe diem, and sometimes through STFU and let things run their course.
It seems so simple…. Until you are at that moment in your life. That moment where you feel that you must have your answer right now. They need to make up their mind right now. (Chances are, it does not have to happen right now.)
Sometimes…. Good things come to those who wait.
And sometimes, you just have to make shit happen! (Sorry, that was from my inner child who still does not appreciate this lesson entirely!)
Happy Wednesday!
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