As I strode forth yesterday, with the March sun on my back, I combined taking in the air and scenery with reflecting on a gremlin of mine, and one many of you will recognise, impatience.
Despite knowing that achieving results takes time as well as effort, you just want everything to happen more quickly. You want to be able to work faster or be smarter or…
And if you’re not careful it can be bloomin’ tiring. Hence the walking and reflecting on my part.
The more personal the challenge the more impatient you can become. And nothing gets more personal than your career.
Finding and creating career opportunities takes time; as does achieving the success you desire. Reality for most people means there is no such thing as an overnight success.
Like British comedian Bill Bailey once joked, he has, ‘enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame – if the meteor in question was slowly dragged across a ploughed field by an arthritic donkey for 22 years.’
And the desire for faster and faster results can be fuelled by your environment. Online searches returning instant answers; 24/7 services; nuanced stories of career success; limited mention of the deep work often required for success.
The stress and frustration triggered by unhealthy levels of impatience can create a weird self-fulfilling prophecy where results become even further away.
Over the years, I have learnt to recognise the signs that my impatience is moving beyond being motivational and slipping into becoming a barrier. Plus regularly walking, reflecting and actively flipping perspective on situations help me maintain a better balance.
Having a healthy drive and a sense of urgency to push forward are motivational and help maintain momentum that’s for sure. When it comes to your career though, it’s even more important to find a balance that works for you, your aspirations and your current commitments.
header image by teetasse on Pixabay
Career Energiser 
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