Patience: In psychology and in cognitive neuroscience, patience is studied as a decision-making problem, involving the choice of either a small reward in the short-term, versus a more valuable reward in the long-term.
In this article, we will explore the importance of patience and how to cultivate this skill.
In 2005 a study involving common marmosets and cotton-top tamarins, animals of both species faced a self-control paradigm in which individuals chose between taking an immediate small reward and waiting a variable amount of time for a large reward.
Under these conditions, marmosets waited significantly longer for food than tamarins.
This difference cannot be explained by life history, social behaviour or brain size.
It can, however, be explained by feeding ecology: marmosets rely on gum, a food product acquired by waiting for exudate to flow from trees, whereas tamarins feed on insects, a food product requiring impulsive action.
Foraging ecology, therefore, may provide a selective pressure for the evolution of self-control.
Patience of human users in the online world today has been the subject of much recent scientific research.
In a 2012 study involving tens of millions of users who watched videos on the Internet, Krishnan and Sitaraman show that online users lose patience in as little as two seconds while waiting for their chosen video to start playing.
The study also shows that users who are connected to the Internet at faster speeds are less patient than their counterparts connected at slower speeds, demonstrating a link between the human expectation of speed and human patience.
These and other scientific studies of patience have led many social commentators to conclude that the rapid pace of technology is rewiring humans to be less and less patient.
Patience is a vital virtue that plays a significant role in self-improvement and personal growth.
It involves being calm and composed while waiting for things to take their natural course.
Patience is essential in self-improvement because change does not happen overnight.
It takes time, willpower, self control, effort, diligence and perseverance to transform yourself into the person you want to be.
Have you ever wanted to give up on a paper you were writing for school or had an interesting project turn frustrating when unexpected complications arose?
Have you ever had to sit through plays and movies you lost interest in after the first scene?
Have you ever had to wait too long to get through a line, for the computer to load, or for Christmas to roll around?
Who hasn’t? We’ve all been impatient - and we’ve all made rash decisions when impatience got the better of us.
We’ve left lines that were barely moving, only to get into an even slower line.
We took the pizza out of the oven two minutes early because we just couldn’t wait.
Or we’ve blown up a perfectly good relationship because we weren’t sure where it was going, and couldn’t stand the uncertainty.
On the other hand, we’ve also been overly patient at times, sticking with projects, jobs, or relationships long after it made sense to do so.
Which has cost you more in your life: patience or impatience?
Different people will have different answers.
Ideally, we’d get it right every time.
We’d let our impatience lead us when changing course made sense, and we’d stay the course when that made most sense.
Unfortunately, no one gets it right every time.
But here’s the thing: If we understand impatience better, it will give us more power to get it right more of the time.
And so I present to you The 7 laws of impatience:
Impatience can lead to rash decision-making and impulsive actions that can have serious consequences.
When we are impatient, we may act hastily without considering the potential risks or consequences of our actions.
This can result in a variety of negative outcomes, including:
- Poor decision-making:
When we are in a rush, we may not take the time to carefully consider all of our options and make a sound decision. This can lead to making choices that are not in our best interests. - Accidents:
Acting too quickly can lead to accidents, such as tripping, falling, or crashing a car. These accidents can result in injuries that range from minor bruises to severe trauma. - Financial loss:
Impatience can lead to impulsivity when it comes to money, resulting in poor decisions related to investments, spending, and budgeting. This can lead to financial loss and negative consequences, such as debt and bankruptcy. - Relationship problems:
Impatience can also cause problems in relationships, as we may act hastily and say or do things we later regret. This can result in arguments, hurt feelings, and the breakdown of relationships. - Health problems:
Impatience can lead to stress and anxiety, which can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. This can result in a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, and depression.
Impatience can have serious consequences to your development and outcomes, so it is important to take the time to make thoughtful, considered fortitude decisions.
By being mindful and patient, we can avoid making rash decisions that could lead to negative outcomes.
Patience allows us to focus on the process of change and deal with setbacks and failures without losing hope or giving up.
It helps us to avoid becoming overwhelmed or frustrated and stressed by the challenges we may face along the way.
Without patience, it is easy to become discouraged and lose sight of your goals, which could lead to quitting altogether.
Patience is a virtue that is often overlooked in today's fast-paced society.
Many of us have become accustomed to instant gratification, and we have little tolerance for waiting.
However, patience is a vital skill that can help us in all areas of life, from personal relationships, controlling our money and developing our skills towards our career advancement.
First of all, patience can be helpful in personal relationships.
When we are calm and patient, we are better able to communicate our needs and listen to others.
We are less likely to become defensive or upset when someone says something we don't agree with.
This can prevent arguments and help us build stronger relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
Patience is also crucial in our career advancement.
When we are patient, we are better at staying focused and take the time to learn new skills.
We are less likely to become stressed or overwhelmed when faced with a challenging project or a difficult co-worker.
By remaining patient and persistent, we can achieve our goals and advance in our work life and career ambitions.
When it comes to personal growth, patience is a crucial ingredient in creating lasting self-improvement.
It allows you to develop new habits, learn new skills, and overcome limiting beliefs or negative patterns of thinking that have been holding you back.
It gives you the time and space you need to reflect on your thoughts and behaviours, identify areas that need improvement, and gradually make changes that will positively impact your life.
Here are some ways on how to develop lasting patience:
- Practice mindfulness: Being present in this moment can help you become more patient. Focus on your breathing, observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and try to remain calm.
- Set realistic goals: Setting realistic goals can help you avoid frustration and impatience. Break your larger goals into smaller, achievable ones, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way.
- Break the cycle of impatience: If you feel yourself becoming impatient, take a step back and try to identify why. Are you stressed, hungry, or tired? Addressing the root cause of your impatience can help you break the cycle and remain patient.
- Learn to accept uncertainty: Life is unpredictable, and there will be times when things don't go as planned. Learning to accept uncertainty can help you become more patient and resilient in the face of disappointment.
- Practice delayed gratification: Delayed gratification involves delaying immediate rewards for a larger, long-term gain. Practicing delayed gratification can help you develop patience and self-control.
- Practice empathy: Try to put yourself in someone else's shoes and understand their perspective. This can help you become more patient and understanding, as well as improve your relationships with others.
- Mind your language: The way we talk to ourselves can impact our level of patience. Avoid negative self-talk and replace it with positive, encouraging language.
- Take breaks: Taking a break, even for a few minutes, can help you recharge and refocus. This can help you be more patient and productive in the long run.
In conclusion, patience is a vital virtue that plays a significant role in self-improvement and personal growth.
It enables us to persevere through tough times and be steadfast, resist the temptation to take shortcuts, and keep focused on our goals.
By being patient, we can develop the habits and skills we need to become the person we want to be, unlock our full potential, and achieve lasting success.
Thank you for reading "Patience and its role in Self-Improvement and Personal-Growth".
I really hope that you enjoyed it and take action on the advice given in this article.
I wish you good luck and I hope its contents have been a good help to you.
Developed by Carl Dunn - Mindset Mind.
