A recent study reported that there had been an 86% increase in people becoming more impatient across all ages, since the start of the lockdown.
Whether that is a website not loading quickly enough, the Amazon parcel not arriving when we expected, or any one of the video conferencing platforms dropping out as we compete for bandwidth. Days are longer as we are trying to cram more stuff in. On the plus side, as we have significantly adopted digital technology, we are realising the benefits of being more productive, but that is also fuelling further impatience. Interestingly, one of the most renowned Best of British traits, is that we form queues and stand in them. However, it would appear that times and people have changed. I recall going through a fast-food drive-through 5-10 years ago and would be met with a very pleasant “Good morning/afternoon, how can I help you? Or would you like fries with that?” Followed by a “have a great day sir”, nowadays it’s a case of “What do you want?” and “Drive to next window”.
I don’t believe this is a pandemic phenomenon, our impatience has simply been amplified through the past 12 months. Whilst the occasional whinge and moan can be cathartic, research shows that just like passive smoking or drinking too much, passive moaning can damage your health. Researchers at a University have found that when someone complains, it lowers the mood of others in a process called neuronal mirroring. Complaining has also been found to be exponential in nature, in that the more you complain, the greater and more frequent your level of complaining is likely to be in the future. In other words, the more you moan, the more you become hard wired for negativity and the more likely you are to be called a Victor Meldrew or Grumpy Old Git. (Which I must admit is something that I am at home, on occasion.) Impatience, can lead to frustration, which can lead to anxiety and potentially depression. Given the rise of mental health challenges, could addressing impatience make a real difference? I think so. Admiring and learning from my 2-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son, is something I do regularly. Alongside, being a typical middle-aged parent, naturally! There is so much we can learn from children and young people.
1. Be happy for no reason
2. Be totally immersed in whatever you are doing
3. Focus on now, not yesterday or tomorrow
4. Have no Ego
5. Forgive quickly
6. Go where the excitement is
7. Stay where there is love and
8. Be creative and have fun.
One of the things the Pandemic has taught me is the need to have a gratitude attitude. Be grateful and acknowledge the effort of others. When I do, I have a great day. And, I can definitely tell the days when I don’t, as they are rubbish.
Just like we teach our children to stop, look and listen before dashing out onto a road. Let’s take a leaf out of their book for once and start to stop, look and listen-up to those around us. Be patient, as all good things come to those that wait…
