Buzz
I must admit, patience isn’t one of my strong points. I tend to move swiftly through life, often expecting others to match my level of speed and efficiency—whether it’s replying to emails promptly or being ready to swipe a credit card as soon as the cashier finishes scanning items. (Seriously, it speeds things up!)
This mindset could easily lead to frustration when I find myself in slow-moving situations, like waiting in a lengthy queue for a carton of milk or enduring the sluggish pace of airport security lines.
Yet, I seldom let it get to me.
First, let’s face it—podcasts have been a game-changer. (I can’t imagine how I endured the monotony of life before podcasts existed, though I vaguely recall a time when I carried a book everywhere as my go-to solution.)
Second, I eventually came to accept that certain things simply take time. Whether it’s waiting in line, searching for a job, or anticipating a response from someone, these processes are often beyond our control in terms of duration.
This is why I was intrigued by a recent study in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, which reveals that patience stems from thinking concretely about the situation—focusing on realistic details—rather than indulging in abstract or pessimistic thoughts. As Fast Company elaborates:
The key is to adopt a concrete mindset, which makes waiting periods feel shorter. Abstain from abstract thinking, as it often attaches negative interpretations to delays, fueling frustration. “For instance, if someone is late for a call, abstract thinking might lead you to assume they don’t value your time or prioritize the meeting, causing irritation,” explains Dorit Efrat-Treister, an organizational psychologist at Ben-Gurion University. “However, if you consider practical reasons, like them misplacing your number or being on another call, you’re less likely to feel annoyed.”
In simpler terms: you’re not stuck in line because the person ahead of you is oblivious (“why didn’t you prepare your ID before reaching the TSA agent?”)—you’re stuck because waiting is an inherent part of lines.
Waiting for a response after a job interview is simply part of the job search process. While landing a job might be your top priority, hiring managers often juggle multiple responsibilities, and filling a vacancy is just one of them.
Even the seemingly endless task of waiting for a child to put on their shoes can be viewed differently. Perhaps they’re still mastering Velcro or laces, or they’re torn between putting on shoes and playing with their toys, not yet understanding that shoes take precedence in certain situations.
Strive to approach life with a practical mindset. Traffic jams are inevitable, bosses will occasionally be late, and the person ahead of you at the store might forget their rewards card, requiring them to recite their phone number. These aren’t disruptions—they’re just everyday occurrences.
And if you can make the wait more enjoyable by tuning into a podcast, that’s always a viable solution.
