The Virtue of Patience
Patience sucks doesn’t it! I mean its something that we all need in life, but for the on-the-edge living, dare taking, fast paced and sparingly fearless entrepreneur, patience is something that we really don’t want to hear or talk about.
When I think of patience, my mind drifts towards the thoughts of waiting, halting, delayed ramification, not having the ability to do what I want to do, when, where and how I want to do it!
I mean really, isn’t patience just one of those words or labels that was created by some authoritative figure to sooth and relax that patron who is blistering pissed that they are not getting their way!
Just hearing the word brings back undesirable glimpses and flashbacks from my past when I was a kid and I couldn’t get my favorite G.I. Joe toy that I wanted and my father would consistently say, “You got to have patience William.”
Well I didn’t want this word that started with a “P” that I was unable to spell; I wanted that freakin toy!
Despite the negative receptions and evil memories that conceive upon the word of patience, it truly is important for an entrepreneur to gain this trait.
Patience allows you the ability to make smart decisions based upon pure business instead of falling to the tempting allure of impulsation (Wait a minute, is that a word? Oh well if Beyonce can get the word “Bootylicious” into Webster’s dictionary, then I can use this word!) or emotion. Patience doesn’t mean that you are falling at the hands of defeat or failure; just view it as an extended preparation period or a lengthy negotiation session with time.
Some of the largest and most successful business tycoons have stated that they’ve experienced success over and over again by being patient and waiting for the perfect opportunity to effectively execute their plan or strategy.
Patience isn’t just a major asset after you have already created your venture and are in the operating stages of business, but it is equally important to have before starting your venture as well.
You see Patience will also keep you from jumping into the waters too soon without proper due diligence and planning. However let me quickly and clearly note that fear, procrastination and slothfulness are not to be confused with patience.
Just because your plan isn’t immediately being executed doesn’t mean that you are not being aggressive and resilient during the waiting stage. When you get to the point where you can capture resilience and patience together in one punch you will become an extremely competitive weapon inside and maybe even outside your community.
I guess despite my repeated refutes I have to admit it: patience is a virtue and a must for every entrepreneur.
2 Comments
Aaron K
November 4th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
Could you please loan me some because mine is on vacation right now.
I’m finding that operating a start up business forces you to have an more patience because it is the only way you can do business.
William Quisenberry
November 4th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Aaron I would loan you some, but the “Big P-word” is also something that I still struggle with. I think any creative entrepreneur will struggle with patience, but hopefully we will develop this trait with time.
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