The how and the benefits of bringing more "active patience" into your life.

After a very relaxed Christmas in the UK and a few days in Lisbon for New Year, I feel very optimistic (despite the current COVID situation) about 2022 and what it’s going to bring.

I feel that I (and perhaps you feel this too) have been planting seed after seed, weeding, clearing space and preparing for things to come to fruition. I feel that I have been toiling in those fields for years now. And yet I’m barely seeing any signs of germination!

But it’s coming. I know it is. And I want to remind you that what you want is coming too.

I want to share with you the idea of being “actively patient”. I came across this idea whilst listening to the surprisingly excellent personal development/autobiography by Jimmy Carr this Christmas. (His podcast appearance with Steven Barlett gives a great flavour for the powerful and insightful lessons he shares in the book).

“Active patience” is about doing what you can, being proactive but with an understanding that things take time. Now this doesn't give you the green light to be idle or procrastinate. The very opposite, it encourages you to get prepared and create an environment to support what you are striving for.

For example, in the last few weeks I’ve slowed down and become more purposeful. I’m focusing on quality not quantity. I’m building in time and space into my days and trying to no longer squeeze in “just one more thing” as I tend to be quite aggressive with my workload.

I had been posting on LinkedIn daily for over a year, typically getting between 100 - 1,000 views per post. But since I’ve focused on “active patience” and supported that with quality not quantity, I’ve seen a huge spike in my views. One recent post on “Slow Productivity” already has over 31,000 views (and counting)!

Now you could argue that it’s the time of year that people are more receptive to ideas on personal development in January. But isn’t that the point of “active patience”? Still be proactive, but recognise that often the external factors move a little slower then we would like.

One of the keys to successfully be “actively patient” is to plan. To know what direction you are heading in, to check if this is the right direction as well as understanding the why and the motivations behind going down this path.

To help you achieve more clarity, find more motivation and have more direction, I recommend you ask yourself the following questions to help promote that clarity and focus.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

• What would you like to be able to say to yourself by the end of 2022?

• How would it feel if you couldn’t say that by Dec 2022?

• How would it feel if you could say that you truly tried to achieve that by Dec 2022?

I strongly recommend you book in a little time with yourself (ideally with a slice of cake!) and look at where you want to be and what you want to have by this time next year. Start to create some focus and targets for your energy and resources. Prepare, do the work, create the environment and be actively patient.

I wish you and your "seeds" all the best for 2022!

In response to a number of enquiries since New Year I have created a special offer, a one-off Goal orientated 1:1 coaching session.

In this one-off 60-90 minute Coaching session we will work together to explore where you want and need your focus to be, what it would mean to you if those areas are and aren’t focused on and how action could start to be taken. Our aim for the end of the session will be for you to have an inspirational goal that will be the foundations for your actions in 2022.

If you are interested in learning more about this special offer or you want to book your session, email coaching@alexadoman.com.