Passion & Patience: The Real 'Power Couple'?
Patience and passion originate from the same root latin word – ‘pati’, which interestingly means ‘to suffer’. It seems they were together from the start, Why have we so far removed them from one another?
You're inspired, yes. In fact you're more than that: PASSIONATE. You start your project, it looks promising, it looks really promising. No, really... journalists are contacting YOU to do a write up on your new project. You're set! No looking back now. You're en route to becoming a national/global force!
Fast forward a few months and you start scratching your head...
"why did those people not deliver on their Letters of Intention to Purchase?" "What went wrong?" Suppliers are not working out.
You thought you'd be able to tighten the belt for a while but you didn't bargain for such an "extended" period of time... You start wondering if you made the right decision. You start picturing how much simpler life would be if you just got in touch with a great recruiter who could find you a decent paying position somewhere. For a while you try to juggle your new full-time role with your business. It doesn't quite work. You write it off as a great learning experience... one you might pick up on at a later stage again. This has been the experience of far too many entrepreneurs.
There is absolutely no shortage of passionate entrepreneurs. From a crowded podcast space to a good book all the way to those utterly uplifting Goalcast Inc videos that catch you while you're having a scroll down your social media feeds... inspiration is everywhere.
What most of entrepreneurs and business owners lack today is PATIENCE.
Patience truly is a virtue in business as it is in life. Why are we so impatient? I believe it comes down to our mindsets being misaligned with our vision. Allow me to unpack that:
Most entrepreneurs venture into business with a great sense of purpose. A vision to build something profitable and significant that will serve many. The vision is noble. But how do our mindsets align with this? Our mindsets, heavily influenced by popular culture, fosters images of affluence that we then want for ourselves... and we want it now. Where our vision requires calculated, consistent and relentless action - our mindsets shout for immediate gratification. Hence, a mindset in misalignment with a vision.
When interviewed back in 2008, Strive Masiyiwa founder of Econet Group, a privately held multinational conglomerate, said:
"If our journey was the ocean, we've finally arrived at the coast and our toes are in the water. It's too early to judge whether we've been a success. I think that if we can get through the next 100 years, that will be a good time to review. You cannot build a truly great company in the generation of one man."
Yes, it takes time to build something of value, with roots deep enough to withstand the storms.
When we marry our innate passion with our cultivated patience... I can only imagine what we would be able to build.. What you would be able to build.
Passion & Patience. Passion & Patience. Passion & Patience. The real power couple.
Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment and share with anyone you think should read this. I'd appreciate the engagement. Looking forward to it.
Russell M Julius
Admitted Attorney | Founder at Accelerate Legal Solutions
4 年Great and very interesting article! And it can apply in various aspects of life. It’s powerful to think how true this is. Many of us have a burning passion to achieve something but the moment we start facing obstacles which is inevitable, we start losing our patience to fulfill our passion. Keep writing!
7yrs Nomadic | Entrepreneur | Blockchain Investor | Creative
4 年I love this. A powerful message that holds a less commonly acknowledged truth within it, a truth which rings true with high relevance in today's age. Expand upon it, turn it into a book!
Executive Chairperson at iTouch
4 年A good tone indeed Russell. You provide a perspective that is interesting to read as an entrepreneur myself. Of course the journey of an entrepreneur encompasses many facets and is driven by purpose for most, but what you speak of is something that should be tagged as part of that journey. Keep writing...
Bridge-Builder l Roots Ecoversity l Climate Youth facilitator l Volunteer CoOrdinator for Greenpeace South Africa
4 年I really enjoy your tone of writing Russell.... And the reflections it brings to the surface. I feel patience is the misunderstood discipline on the journey of humanhood. Or like a love and hate relationship. Sometimes I find myself laying next to patience but totally misunderstanding his intentions. Patience needs understanding, tenderness, focus and PASSION for sure!