(or Please hold, your call is important to us)
Patience, I’ve heard some say is a science.
I say that’s the case only if you make the most out of your waiting-time.
Putting my money where my mouth is, I’m sitting here at a shmik lunch place in Bogota, Colombia waiting for a client, who according to local customs, is perfectly on time. Yet, I’ve been waiting for 30 minutes.
Should I be angry, or offended my her lateness? (…As if any of those emotional states will achieve anything in this situation…)
Frankly, her lateness doesn’t bother me. It’s not because I have all the time in the world. I’ve back-to-back meetings scheduled for the afternoon. Or because I’m particularly understanding or forgiving of her circumstances. If anything I value my time more than I value hers…
It’s because waiting-time – the kind that falls on you unexpectedly – in my world is found-time. For that reason I’ve learned to pick it up, say thank you, and put it to good use. Just like the last time I found $20 bucks on the street.
In line with that, as I sit here waiting I’ve:
- Planned the rest of my week – written a to-do list and all
- Returned 2 phone calls
- Drafted 3 emails
- Developed 1 idea for a marketing campaign
- Added 3 items to a meeting’s agenda
- Ordered flowers for my mom and
- Written this post.
So how are you perfecting the science of patience?
Like the picture? Click here to find out where I found it.