Lesson to Self #7: Be patient

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Years ago when I was working as a perfusionist, I heard the operating room manager belt over the intercom, “I want patients and I want them NOW!” Those of us who heard her cries for quick and efficient patient transport to the OR stopped dead in our tracks. We had never heard this women exhibit such animated frustration before. But then, after a moment of astonishment, we all broke out in raucous laughter at the obvious but unintentional play on words. She was certainly not exhibiting much patience while waiting for patients.

Patience is hard. Who likes to waste a lot of time waiting around for something to happen? Absolutely no one.

But is the time spent waiting actually a waste? Even though it may feel that way, I propose there may be value in the wait.

I wrote about developing more resilience in Lesson 5 of this series. There, I shared about my mysterious injury to my right leg that came out of nowhere on Jan 12, 2025. Well, here I am, two weeks out from my steroid injection in my knee and no closer than I was to be-bopping merrily along country roads and mountain trails. I have increased my distance and effort level in the pool, have been diligent in the weight room, and tolerate the pain as best I can when I try long walks to gain time on feet. Still, I await the day when I can get back to running.

I am frustrated, no doubt, at my inability to run. And with my next doctor’s appointment two weeks in the future before a tentative diagnosis can be posited, I have no other choice but to carry on with alternate training—and learn to develop a healthy dose of patience.

Easier said than done, right? Right. But I have been trying to use those many hours in the pool staring down at the black tile line to re-imagine time spent in pursuit of fitness. Perhaps in the long run (no pun intended) it will prove beneficial to have had this period of non-running. Maybe all this swimming and strength training will give me a body less prone to injury in the future. Maybe I can learn to feel just as free in the pool as I do blazing down a mountain trail. And maybe, just maybe, my mind and desire to compete will hit the reset button to return intact and stronger at the conclusion of this present setback.

Can I predict how or when I will return to running? Nope. But in the meantime, to paraphrase that OR manager, “I want patience and I want it now!” Therefore, I can intentionally change my perspective from something negative to something positive. I can appreciate the benefits of a change-up rather than bemoan the temporary loss of a 35-year habit. And, I can be thankful for the circumstances that help me become more patient.

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See prior posts for lessons 1-6

Please message me if I can provide value to your team or organization by helping you think deeply about these character skills that drive performance. betterpeoplemakebetteranythings

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