Ambition has a pulse. It’s that restless beat in the chest when someone wants more, be it more impact, more growth, or more proof that the late nights and early mornings mean something. When a person is ambitious, hungry, or wants to prove others wrong, or even better, when they want to prove to themselves that they can achieve what they’ve set out to do, it can feel as though waiting is the biggest enemy. The fire inside can be so intense that slowing down feels like moving backwards.
Yet, patience is the secret weapon of the ambitious. It is the foundation that holds success in place. Remember the proverb: “Good things come to those who wait,” and this is the truth behind every success.
Patience Is a Virtue
Patience is an essential component when someone is driven, when they’re tenacious, when they want “it” so badly they can taste it. We can sum it up as “A watched pot never boils.” But the real challenge often lies in the speed of desire. So many people want success fast. They want to achieve, accomplish, and arrive. And because of that urgency, they cut corners. They make rushed decisions. They skip the step-by-step growth that creates stability. In doing so, they make mistakes that could have been avoided. Learning diligence before speedy execution is a proven strategy for long-term success.
We love to read about success stories and dream of overnight fame and glory, but here’s the truth that doesn’t get enough attention: most of those overnight success stories took years of invisible, behind-the-scenes work. The filmmakers were writing scripts no one read. The founders were tinkering with ideas in their garages. The athletes were running and training drills while the rest of the world slept. The truth isn’t flashy, but it’s real. Creating significant positive change takes time. And that is where patience comes in.
Progress Takes Patience
The math is actually simple when it is about patience. Marginal improvements, when repeated over time, can create a massive impact. Day by day, step by step, layer by layer, things begin to stack up. It’s the same principle behind compound interest, where pennies quietly grow into fortunes. A little becomes more, more becomes a lot, and before you know it, all those tiny actions snowball. Over time, that “small daily effort” that once seemed almost invisible suddenly stands tall as something meaningful, sturdy, and real.
So if the math is simple, why doesn’t everyone follow it?
Because patience is not easy, the human brain is wired to chase short-term rewards. We want the dopamine hit. The quick win. The gold star. The applause. Focusing on the long game requires discipline, emotional maturity, and trust in the process, qualities that must be developed consciously.
For many people, learning that real progress takes time feels discouraging at first. It can spark a fixed mindset: “If I haven’t figured it out yet, maybe I’m just not good enough.” But that mindset is simply untrue. Struggling with patience in the past does not mean someone can’t become more patient moving forward.
Patience is not a fixed trait; it’s a skill that can be developed. And like any skill, it can be developed and strengthened.
And because patience is essential for creating positive long-term change, learning how to build it is incredibly valuable.
Deconstructing the Role of Patience
Every project, every goal, every effort unfolds in three major phases:
Expectations: “I’m going to get to X and it’ll take Y time.”
Action: “By following steps A, B, and C, I’ll take to get there.”
Evaluation: “After Y time, did I get the results I expected? And do I need to adjust?”
When impatience shows up, it’s usually because expectations and reality are doing two completely different dances. The mind starts whispering, “I should be further along by now,” as if success follows our personal timeline. But life doesn’t run on “shoulds” or wishful thinking; it moves on actual progress.
A patient person isn’t just “calm” or laid-back. They’re clear. They set grounded expectations, they know precisely which phase they’re in, whether planning, doing, or evaluating, and they don’t mix them up. They also respect the rhythm of the process, understanding that each step has its own purpose and timing.
When these phases get tangled, problems arise:
Phase 1: Some start taking action before setting expectations. This means they rush without direction.
Phase 2: Some individuals constantly evaluate themselves while working. This often leads to second-guessing and anxiety.
Phase 3: Some go full-speed without ever pausing to reflect. This means they will eventually burn out.
Awareness is half the battle. The other half is being intentional.
Three Ways to Build Patience Over Time
As mentioned earlier, patience can be developed and strengthened through practice, just like any other skill. And while it may feel intangible, there are reasonably practical ways to build it.
1. Commit to the Practice of Patience
First and foremost, recognize that patience isn’t some magical personality trait a person is either born with or not. It’s a skill, just like learning to cook, ride a bike, or play an instrument, and it can absolutely be developed with practice. The key is making a conscious decision to work on it. Once someone commits to building patience, they become more aware of when impatience pops up.
Instead of reacting on impulse, they learn to pause, breathe, and choose their response. They stay focused on what’s in front of them, rather than trying to juggle everything at once like a circus act.
This commitment creates space. And space is where growth happens.
2. Keep the Big Picture Top-of-Mind
When starting something new or when feeling overwhelmed, it helps to take a step back and zoom out to the broader vision. Think of it like switching from a close-up lens to a wide-angle one. The smaller details might feel chaotic, but the big picture provides clarity and direction. Keeping that big picture in mind acts like an anchor, keeping a person grounded in the present moment instead of getting swept up by stress, doubt, or urgency. It reminds them ‘why’ they started, ‘where’ they’re headed, and that every small step counts, even ‘when’ the progress feels slow or uncertain.
This involves:
Setting expectations: What am I hoping to do?
Planning the work: How will I move forward?
Setting evaluation time: When will I check my progress?
The evaluation phase is key. And importantly, evaluation is not about self-worth. It’s about direction. Think of it as a compass check, not a personal critique.
The willow tree grows strong because it bends instead of breaking. Expectations should be the same: clear, yet flexible.
3. When All Else Fails, Hit Pause
Even the most patient person has moments where frustration sneaks in through the back door. Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Sometimes plans derail, timing shifts, and challenges arise, such as unexpected guests at a dinner party. No one is immune to those “oh come on!” moments. And in those times, the wisest move isn’t to push harder or spiral into stress.
The best thing someone can do is ‘pause.’ Hit the mental reset button. Take a breath. Give the moment space. That tiny pause can stop a rash decision, calm the nerves, and help someone come back with clarity instead of chaos.
Practical ways to reset include:
Take five deep breaths: Breathing calms the nervous system.
Count to ten before reacting: Give your mind time to catch up with your emotions.
Recall a past success that required patience: Remind yourself that progress comes with persistence.
Change physical state: Move your body. Walk, stretch, and step outside. As the famous saying goes, “To change your psychology, change your physiology.”
Sometimes, the slightest pause creates the most significant shift.
Patience Leads to Sustainable Success
People who chase instant success often end up running on fumes. When someone’s only goal is to “get there fast,” they usually burn out or build something unstable that collapses the moment pressure is applied. They cut corners to save time, rush decisions without thinking them through, and ride short-lived momentum that fizzles out just as quickly as it flares up.
Real success, the kind that sticks and grows, is built with patience. Patience fuels motivation during the slow, unglamorous grind. It encourages resilience when obstacles appear. It develops depth, mastery, confidence, and a foundation that actually lasts.
Remember the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but they were also laying bricks every hour.”
Success doesn’t require rushing.
It requires continuity.
Patience Is a Skill and a Secret Weapon
“All things are difficult before they are easy” is an old saying. However, patience is now more than ever a valuable strategy.
While others chase shortcuts, quick hacks, and the shiny illusion of “fast success,” patience stands tall as the quiet superpower that actually delivers. Shortcuts may seem tempting, like a secret backdoor to achievement, but they rarely lead to anything substantial.
Patience, on the other hand, allows ambitious people to build something real, brick by brick, decision by decision. Something lasting that doesn’t crumble under pressure. Something meaningful that reflects effort, growth, and intention. It’s the difference between a sandcastle and a stone foundation. When you move with patience, you’re not just racing to the finish line; you’re creating a legacy that can stand the test of time.
By being patient:
- Expectations stay healthy.
- Action becomes focused and purposeful.
- Evaluation becomes grounded and productive.
And when impatience inevitably arises, as it will, a momentary pause can prevent derailment.
So keep going. Keep learning. Keep showing up. With patience at your side, there is nothing you cannot build.
Keep pressing on.
Larry Vivola is a successful business coach who coaches entrepreneurs anywhere in the world via Zoom. If he’s not coaching he’s making meatballs and entertaining friends and family!
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