Practicing impatient patience.

Patience is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances, which can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without acting on annoyance/anger in a negative way; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. Patience is the level of endurance one's character can take before negativity. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast.

vs.

impatience [ɪmˈpeɪʃəns]

n

1. lack of patience; intolerance of or irritability with anything that impedes or delays

2. restless desire for change and excitement

When asked if I was patient, my immediate response was yes, extremely. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how impatient I am. I am eager for change, sometimes to the point of pushing outcomes.

Take bike racing for example. The past year I have been more and more aware of my impatience. I attack in the first few kilometers, wasting valuable energy. I needlessly chase, knowing that "the move" will happen as soon as I relax. And like clockwork, the break that sticks is the one that I am too tapped to do anything about. Gee, I wish I had a little more patience.

But for as often as impatience has done me wrong, it's also provided for some incredible change. So, as much as I value patience, I also appreciate my impatience. The trick will be to master when best to use them.

Unsatisfied with a situation? Let impatience be your guide. Want to win a bike race? Patience, grasshopper. Patience.