"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew." Saint Francis de Sales. Do you struggle with patience with yourself? I know that I do. I want things to happen NOW. Maybe it's my American need for immediate gratification that fuels my impatience for success. Everything else around us is fast, why can't our success come as quickly?
When you work toward your dream, you are planting a seed. In order for that seed to bear fruit it first needs to die. When you plant the seed of your dream, certain things also need to die; your failure mindset, your doubts, your fears, and your impatience, to name a few.
In order for a plant to grow and bear fruit, the seed changes into something completely different by interacting with the soil, sun, and the rainwater. It grows healthy, slowly but steadily with the right inputs. Your dream efforts are like tending the soil, watering and giving your dream the light it needs to flourish. Your inputs are daily activities that move you toward your dream.
It would seem ridiculous for us to plant a seed in the ground and then expect the next day or even the next week to be able to eat fruit from the plant. The same is true of your dream. You are not a failure because you have not made $ 1million dollars in 3 months on the internet. The people who claim to have done that are not just exceptions, they are RARE exceptions. Here is what it takes to really make it: Work hard, serve well, solve problems, be helpful, reach out and you will be successful. It will take time and lots of inputs, but don't give up on yourself. Truly those who give up are the only failures. "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams
What can you do to be more patient with yourself today? Take stock in your accomplishments. Create a list of what you have been able to do that is moving you toward your dream. Ask your dream partner to help you with this list, and then do the same for them. You may not have made $1 million, but who's life have you enriched? What help have you offered? How has your product or service blessed someone? If you are not already part of a support group of accountability partners, join one. They will help you stay on track.
If you are working toward your dream, you will get there. Be patient!
Patty Sadallah has 29 years experience as an organization development consultant and executive coach. She is a Dream Partner Catalyst and coaches and consults nonprofits and women owned small business owners around issues of focus and planning, moving them toward her dreams. Find out more about her coaching and consulting at http://www.PattySadallah.com/sq.
She is also the President/Founder of the Redwood Sisterhood, an international women's support community that offers personal and professional development learning opportunities, community bartering through time banking and fun networking events. Here, she brings together the talents and the needs of women and allows these connections to strengthen and uplift the membership. Learn more at (http://www.RedwoodSisterhood.com)
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