Though I learnt it late, and for reasons that forced me to moved towards it, I can now see how well I am reading the benefits of such a characteristic trait in me – the trait of patience. 

Wherever you would see, you will find that speed is the watchword. Speed is what matters is the dogma. Getting results quick in record time is what matters! 

Let’s take for example the people who trade in stocks. People trade in stocks via intra-day(buying and selling of stocks on the same given day) to make quick bucks even though we don’t have yet a story like long term value investor Warrent Buffett! 

Most of the intra day trade end is losses. And I will second it with my own experience. I have made more money by long term investment than trading. 

Patience and relationships

Let’s take another example. It’s from relationships. People end their relationships because they are impatient to find compatibility. They want it too quick and too often. That’s why most of the relationships are transactional in nature despite knowing the fact that only long term relationships have yielded when you were in deep trouble. ( Think your parents, your close friend etc). 

And these relationships were never meant to be result oriented. They just blossomed out of love. People who will hold stocks in capital markets who may be inive with how the companies are, their nature, their values etc. 

So, in a way, from these two examples of very different fields, you can infer that long term commitment which patience is born out of is a result of something more than material gain. It’s about sticking to beliefs, practices, ethics, honesty, commitment etc. 

Committing long term is a huge investment. It has a huge opportunity cost. You could be thinking that you could have tried 20 million other things while you kept hitting at the same wall several times for years together. (Because you believed that you will break it one day probably). 

Companies are impatient to drive results from their employees. And despite knowing the fact that only companies that have a low employee turnover ratio stand a chance to become world class and last for several years, it’s hire and fire out there. 

If the biggest drawback of Indian public sector undertakings has been the casual attitude of its employees, then the biggest advantage of Navratnas and Maharatnas is also the same – the strength of stability to provide long and sustainable career to its employees. Otherwise, you just can’t dream of organisations like ISRO, SBI, NTPC, Coal India, IRCTC, DRDO who have played a pivotal role in making of a progressive and prosperous nation that we are becoming today. 

The 8th wonder and patience

Patience is about long term commitment to a purpose. Only those could be patient in their pursuits who are truly, madly and deeply in love with the process and don’t bother about the results thereafter. 

So, if you wish to become an investor, your character trait as a patient guy could potentially turn you into a really rich guy one day. The no 1 reason people lose money is their impatience to make quick bucks. 

The 8th wonder of the world that Albert Einstein has termed it – the wonder of compounding works in investing if you are willing to be patient. Money simply multiplies on its own once you have reached a magical sum working over the years to save and invest. 

I associate the idea of investing, not only with money but growing anything in our lives – love, care, health, well being or nurturing a talent. 

10,000 hrs rule and patience

The  10,000 hours rule is nothing but an illustration of pursuing a passion and committing long term to a purpose. 10,000 hrs rule is roughly giving 10 years of your life. You give 10,000 hrs to anything and you will see growth out there. 

Patience is hard to come by. People who are patient are those who are sincere, faithful, loyal, committed to people or purpose. The patient people are the rare tribe you see! 

So, I would say: Develop this trait in your life to grow. 

Even if you are not gifted, no problem. You can negotiate the shortcoming with patience. Allow yourself the luxury of several trials and errors. And you would one day beat even the most gifted creatures of the earth. 

Patience in health and fitness

People who want quick results would never find it. There are no quick fixes in health and fitness. You may try some fancy ideas to cut down on your flabs in record time but so let me know an example or story where that quick fix lasted for life without being patient in getting results. 

Most of such health stories have ended up as horror stories leading to grievous injuries or paralysing one’s body or mind for life against trying something like that ever again. 

Training for Marathon

Training for a marathon is a process whose key ingredient is patience. More than any other talent or gift you need a reservoir of patience to see the results. That’s why running a marathon is more than running. Running a marathon is about character building. Building a rock solid character that would be equally instrumental in repairing the broken relationships or broken finances as well as your health and well being. 

It could be the other way true as well. Those who are patient in nature would do great as long distance runners. Therefore, the badge of a long distance runner commands a lot of respect, honour and exuding confidence for the runner within. 

A long distance runner lives by the philosophy that you can reach the finish line of any god damn challenge if you just wait enough and commit for the long term. 

Runners don’t question – Why Me? They respond – Try Me!