11 simple habits to develop patience

Most of us are aware that it is very important to develop patience to live smarter.. But between wanting it and achieving it there is a big difference. Especially if we take into account that today’s world is not exactly a realm of tranquility.

Patience is a transcendental virtue because, in reality, the most important things in life take time. In all worthwhile processes you have to combine times of action with waiting times; achievement times with work times.

Developing patience is not easy, but it is not impossible either. The truth is that custom also intervenes in this: we get used to reacting quickly and not introducing waiting margins and the necessary breaks. That is why it is essential to learn new habits that lead us to be more patient. These are 11 of them.

1. Never judge

What does the habit of judging others have to do with the purpose of developing patience? The truth is, a lot. Sometimes we spend too much energy questioning others. Thinking about the bad things they do and what they could or should be. That exercise, by itself, introduces a strong internal tension between us and the world.

In itself, judging others is adopting a hostile stance towards reality. This hostility often translates into intolerance. and this, in turn, unleashes impatience. On the contrary, if we learn to accept others as they are, it is easier for us to maintain internal balance. The consequence of this is that we will have a greater capacity to develop patience.

2. Take distance from the conflict

If we analyze it deeply, we realize that a good part of the conflicts they are useless. They arise from the discomfort that each person carries, but, in general, they lead nowhere. They are an expression of dissatisfaction, which to a large extent only leads to feeling even more discontent.

Conflict is not bad in and of itself. On the contrary, it often enriches because it helps us see things from another point of view, or allows us to realize the mistakes we are making. The art is in properly processing this conflict and not allowing it to perpetuate and lead us to a state of tension. constant.

3. Recognize the contributions of others

To develop patience, it is essential to learn to value the contributions of others. There are many people who do a lot for us every day. None of them are perfect, just as we are not, but in the end they do enrich our lives and make them much better.

When we ignore the contributions of others, we end up giving excessive importance to their smallest flaws. Developing patience is something that is achieved by accepting and valuing. If we recognize the contributions of others, we place ourselves in a more generous and calm dimension, with them and with ourselves.

4. Slow down

One of the great evils of our time is the obsession with speed. We have become enemies of slowness. We lose sight of the fact that the most valuable things in life always take time. Sometimes the difference between a good or bad decision, or between a good or bad action, is just a moment of waiting.

We are builders of ourselves and our own lives. If we want to do everything quickly, we are probably not going to be the architects of a solid structure, but of something made in a hurry and, therefore, fragile. Let’s slow down a little, every time we realize that we are overwhelmed by urgency..

5. Breathe, a fundamental action to develop patience

Breathing holds many of the secrets of a healthy mind and emotions.. Oxygen is one of the most important nutrients for our brain. Therefore, everything that has to do with breathing also has to do with the proper functioning of our internal world.

Taking a moment to breathe, hopefully three times a day, is a very healthy habit that helps us develop patience.. It is best to close your eyes and try not to think about anything. Only in that air that enters and leaves, in the life that inhabits us.

6. Relativize

Relativizing, contrary to what many people think, is not saying “nothing happens” to any setback. Rather, it is about reflecting on the event itself, evaluating the risks and giving them the importance they deserve. In this way, a solution can be developed much more easily and efficiently.

7. Take responsibility for what happens

Many times, the rush to solve a problem does not come from its seriousness, but from a feeling of guilt that we are not fully aware of. Therefore, the sooner the situation is resolved, the sooner the anxiety of having done something wrong is eliminated.

Therefore, it is very relevant to stop and identify what role is being played in the whole matter. Once you recognize the part of responsibility you have in this, everything is resolved much more effectively, since mental noise and impatience are eliminated.

8. Differentiate what can be controlled and what cannot

Many times it is difficult to accept that there are things that are beyond our control. Managing the consequences of what is beyond control is often perceived as a defeat, when it is not.

On the other hand, the best thing about differentiating these two types of elements is that you know where to focus your efforts. This prioritization gives rise to a feeling of control, improves self-esteem and helps train patience.

9. Identify impatient thoughts

A general state of haste and impatience manifests itself in many details of daily life, not only in big problems. A clear example of this is starting to accelerate before the traffic light turns green: what difference does it make compared to starting a second after the light changes?

All these behaviors are food for impatience, Therefore, identifying them one by one and remedying them is a good way to train the virtue we are talking about. It is constant work, but the key is often in the small details.

10. Reduce demands on yourself

Each person has their own limits and rhythm. It is true that the speed of our environment almost always exceeds our own, so it is easy to create the feeling that we are not doing enough. However, this environmental requirement is fictitious.

You have the right to make mistakes and fix them, to feel overwhelmed and want to stop. No one has an obligation to follow the pace set by society, so don’t force your body: it means applying stress to yourself.

11. Think before you speak

This advice is not intended to convey the avoidance of errors when saying something, but rather the necessary pause that helps digest emotions. Quick and thoughtless responses are the result of stress and haste, and because of them we often stop looking inward.

Therefore, before making decisions or making statements, give yourself a moment to think about it. Analyze what you want, what you feel and how you want to convey it. Just the mere act of reflecting on it will create a much healthier mental rhythm.

To develop patience you also have to be patient. It is not achieved overnight. It demands time and effort. However, it is one of those achievements that change us forever and that give an extremely enriching factor to our lives. Try it.

You might be interested…