If you are being kept on-hold on the phone, use the time to answer some emails. If you are waiting for an appointment, read a book or newspaper, or play a game on your phone. If you are stuck in traffic, don’t sit there and stew, put on some music, an audiobook, or a language tape and try to make the most of it.
Accept that you will have to wait and there is nothing you can do about it. Take a minute to relax before you find something that will occupy you for a while.
Being stuck in a long silent queue will not work in the same way. Equally, being stuck in a waiting room with people who are angry and impatient will not make the time go faster. Look for a more positive engagement with other people.
For example, if you are growing impatient to find out whether or not you have been accepted to your first choice college, you can give yourself small goals to reach each week in the meantime. This could be anything from learning 20 new words in a foreign language to mastering a new card trick.
For example, if you were stuck in a traffic jam you would probably get annoyed at the situation or maybe the other cars for holding you up. It is, however, your response to this situation which determines whether you wait patiently or impatiently. People often get impatient when they perceive the environment as not conforming to their expectations. Recognizing that expectations are only expectations and are often not totally realistic can help you to identify impatience. [6] X Research source
Acknowledging that you cannot clear an accident that has caused a traffic jam is much better than getting annoyed and frustrated about something you have no influence on.
Try to foster a more optimistic outlook and learn to feel more comfortable with uncertainty. This means letting go of a sense of control. Try to ground yourself and focus on the present moment. For instance, you could look for 3 things that are colored blue in your environment, or notice the way your body feels (without judgement). [9] X Research source If you are anticipating bad news, try to find a positive in it in advance. This could be preparing for failure and thinking of an alternative way forward. For example, if you are waiting for an exam result, thinking positively about what you could do if you don’t get the grades can help you wait more patiently.
Take deep deliberate breaths, inhaling for 3 or 4 seconds. Fill your lungs and hold the air in for a few seconds before slowly breathing out for another 3 or 4 seconds. You could also combine your deep breathing with a mantra, such as, “I am breathing out stress, and breathing in relaxation. ”
By being patient and limiting the stress response you are actively taking care of yourself. You will suffer when impatient, so learning to be more relaxed will help you feel better about yourself and the situation. Learning to be patient will also help you feel more compassion towards others who get frustrated when things don’t conform to their expectations. Aim to be compassionate toward yourself as well as others. Put yourself in other people’s shoes and look at things from multiple perspectives. For instance, if you’re waiting on hold for a customer service agent to get back to you, consider that they may have had a long day or might have been yelled at by several other customers.
Uncertain waits can feel longer than if you know how long you will have to wait for. For example, if you are told you will be seen in 30 minutes, it can be easier than if you are just told you will be seen soon. If you’re facing an uncertain wait, try to find out a clearer timetable so you have a better idea of how long you’ll have to wait. If you can’t get any extra information, try to relax or occupy yourself and accept that there is nothing to do but wait.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, recognize it and try to relax and shrug it off. Consider finding out the reason for the wait, perhaps somebody is unexpectedly off sick, or has been held up in traffic. This may help you to understand that there is nothing you can do to change it and then wait more patiently.
Treating these situations more lightly, and trying to maintain a good sense of humor about all the waiting around you have to do, can help you wait more patiently and happily. Keep the big picture in mind so you don’t get hung up on small inconveniences. Ask yourself if waiting right now is going to matter in a day, a week, or a month. Consider if it’s really worth feeling negative about the situation.
