A valuable but often overlooked personal skill is the ability to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Some demonstrate little patience and even proclaim “I don’t have the patience for this”.  This is not necessarily considered a negative trait  (i.e., lack of patience), but maybe to some degree, it should be.

Balanced Approach

Like so many things, the extreme approach is seldom most effective.  Which is better, being direct, forward and focused on quick results versus the analytic, patient approach?  This question has no definitive answer and the best way is often contextually driven (i.e., what is the overall situation).

A complete lack of patience can lead to presumptuous actions while too much patience is not only frustrating but can be the result can be dissappointing as well. Carefully considering the options of each approach and employing the best mix is likely to lead to better results.

Waiting Patiently

Waiting patiently is an interesting approach.  Initially, it can appear indecisive, just waiting for the default to occur.  On the other hand, it can be a calculated method to gather enough data to inform proactive behavior, before actually acting.

Patience, by and large, results in either acceptance or a deliberate alternate action with a full understanding as to why.  As time progresses you have the ability to consider and ultimately decide to live with the way things are going or take an alternate.