Patient and Persistent

This week we will continue looking at the person of character. Focusing on the qualities of being patient and persistent.

Patience is the ability to wait, continuing to do something despite difficulties, or enduring something without complaining. Persistence is the unique quality that allows someone to continue doing something, even though it may be very difficult or it may be opposed by others. Both of these are unique character qualities and both of them are greatly beneficial! Both of these characteristics allow individuals to continue moving forward and growing over a long period of time. The people who possess these traits tend to have the ability to see the big picture and plan ahead with a long-term focus, rather than a short-term focus.

The opposite of these types of individuals are typically impatient, short-term focused, and easily derailed by challenges. they lack the characteristics of patience and persistence.

Patience is a character trait that is highly desirable and greatly beneficial. The ability to be patient is critical, especially when pursuing long-term goals or making significant changes. People who are patient understand the process of making a long-term goal something that can be achieved by making small daily stides over the course of time. They know that there are no shortcuts, and taking consistent action will eventually get them to where they want to be.

Persistence is a trait that goes hand in hand with patience. Being persistent helps individuals to overcome and work through the challenges that arise along the journey toward a long-term goal or destination. People who are persistent realize that there will be obstacles and challenges, along the way that will test themselves and their desire to reach their goals. They are willing to grow, mature, change, and learn through their journey. They also typically are willing to sacrifice and fight for what they are pursuing. They are not easily detoured by things that try to distract or derail their focus or goals.

Two categories of people who epitomize these traits are farmers and athletes. Farmers are people who plan ahead for the year. They decide what crops they want to harvest, that is their goal. Once they decide what harvest they want, they work backward to where they are currently. They determine what fields will get planted with what specific type of seeds. They determine when they need to plant the fields. They determine what types of soil and nutrients will be of best benefit to get the harvest that they desire. There is a lot of planning and action that takes place in order for the farmer to have a good and successful harvest.

Similarly, athletes display the benefits of being both patient and persistent. An athlete also displays long-term vision and action. An athlete trains with their goals in mind. They stick to a training schedule and usually have a nutritional plan in place as well. They are disciplined individuals, who live intentionally, in order to achieve their goals. They will also intentionally strain and challenge themselves often, in order to grow and avoid becoming complacent. They work through difficulties and trying situations.

Patience and persistence are two qualities that will help anyone to grow and work through challenges, in order to rise and reach goals.