Do you want to be more patient? This week I’m sharing lots of practical tips to help you overcome your impatience so you can find greater peace of mind. So, let’s talk! 😃

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LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

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Show Notes

Episode Description:

In this episode, I’m diving into why patience matters for better mental health and how you can cultivate more of it in your life. Learn how impatience affects your peace of mind, and find practical ways to develop greater patience. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling frustrated or rushed, this episode is for you!

Episode Release Date:
October 6th, 2024

Key Points:

• The impact of impatience on mental health and peace of mind  
• Why patience is essential for emotional regulation and resilience  
• Practical strategies for cultivating patience in everyday situations  
• How being more patient helps you make better decisions 
• The connection between patience and improved relationships

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Episode 245: Reframing
• Link to my YouTube channel for additional content (content returns October 9)

Quote of the Week:

“Patience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit.” — Unknown

Call to Action:

How do you manage impatience? Share your thoughts in the Spotify comments section, or connect with me on Instagram @ltamentalhealth. Sign up for the weekly transcript and show notes at ltamh.com.

Next Week’s Episode:

I’ll be talking about how to cultivate the best in yourself and what being the best version of yourself really means! Scheduled for release on October 13, 2024 (one week earlier for Official Supporters on Patreon).

Listen, Rate and Follow:
Hit ‘follow’ on your podcast service and turn on notifications. Available on all major services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube Music and more.

Connect with Jeremy Godwin:
Find me on Instagram @itsjeremygodwin (and sometimes on Threads at the same handle).

Support the Show:
Become a paid supporter on Patreon for early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive content (opens in new window).

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TRANSCRIPT

How to enjoy your life more

What’s the key to enjoying life? What are simple and effective ways to enjoy your life more? And can you learn how to make life fulfilling What impact does being impatient have on you? Does your impatience ever get in the way of your peace of mind, or hold you back from making progress? And how often does your impatience lead you to make decisions you later regret?

Well, that’s what I’m talking about in this episode; I’ll be sharing lots of practical tips to help you overcome your impatience so you can find greater peace of mind. 

Ready to start cultivating greater patience? Then, let’s talk!

Hello and welcome back to the Let’s Talk About Mental Health podcast, the independent show full of simple ideas for better mental health, and thanks for joining me!

If you’re new here, then hi! I’m Jeremy Godwin, podcast creator and writer, and this isn’t the type of show full of interviews or random opinions; I’m also a mental health counsellor, and each week I teach you practical and effective ways to improve your mental wellbeing, based on quality research as well as my own experience of learning to live with anxiety and depression (after a breakdown in 2011 that changed my life).

This is Episode 252 and today I’ll be talking about what overcoming your impatience means, why it matters, and how to do it.

So, let’s talk!

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Impatience. It’s something we all experience from time to time; whether it’s waiting for results, sitting in traffic, counting down until a new episode of your favourite show lands, or maybe even feeling like progress just isn’t happening fast enough. 

But what if impatience is more than just an uncomfortable feeling? What if it’s something that could be holding you back from a calmer and more fulfilling life? Impatience is definitely something that has gotten in my way more than once or twice (a lot more!), and there’s a very fine line between enthusiasm and frustration; being impatient can lead to a huge amount of unnecessary stress and anxiety, which is why managing it thoughtfully is so important. Let’s face it: most things in life take time, effort, and perseverance… and a large dose of patience makes an enormous difference. 

In this episode, I’m going to explore what it means to overcome your impatience and why it matters. We’ll look at the ways impatience can affect your mental health and how learning to manage it can help you feel less stressed and more in control (not to mention much better equipped to handle life’s challenges). Plus, I’ll share practical tips for shifting your mindset and building patience into your daily routine. 

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with how long things take, or anxious to rush towards the next milestone, then this episode is for you! 

So let’s first take a moment to go through some definitions, and let’s talk about…

What does ‘overcoming your impatience’ mean?

So, overcoming impatience is about learning to navigate the tension between where you are now and where you want to be, without letting frustration or irritability take over. 

It’s natural to feel like you want things to happen quickly, especially in today’s world where so much is almost instantaneous, but impatience can lead to stress, frustration, and even self-sabotage. It’s not about suppressing your desire for progress or results; it’s about recognising that the journey takes time and that being impatient often clouds your judgement and slows you down. 

When you learn to overcome impatience you build greater resilience, which helps you stay focused and clear-headed as you work towards your goals.

On a practical level, overcoming impatience means training yourself to pause before reacting. For example, let’s say you’re working towards a goal like improving your fitness or building a new habit. It’s easy to get frustrated if you don’t see immediate results. But if you can recognise that progress takes time and remind yourself to be patient, you’re less likely to give up or feel disheartened. Another example could be waiting for a reply to an important email or waiting in a long queue; both situations can trigger feelings of impatience, but by consciously deciding to breathe and focus on something else, or to even reframe the waiting time as a moment for reflection, you can regain control of your emotions. It’s about finding ways to distract or refocus your mind rather than letting impatience dictate your actions.

In mental health terms, overcoming impatience plays a significant role in emotional regulation. Impatience can trigger stress, anxiety, and even anger, all of which negatively impact your wellbeing; by actively working on reducing your impatience, you can manage your emotional responses more effectively. This doesn’t just create a more peaceful internal environment; it also fosters better relationships with others, since impatience can often lead to snapping at people or being overly critical. The act of overcoming impatience helps you build tolerance, not only for situations that are beyond your control but also for yourself. This shift can bring a sense of calm and help you stay grounded, which is crucial for maintaining good mental health.

So, now let’s talk about…

Why overcoming your impatience matters

And, continuing on from what I just said, overcoming your impatience is important because it often leads to unnecessary frustration and stress. In general terms, impatience can cloud your judgement, causing you to make impulsive decisions or react poorly in situations where a little patience could have led to better outcomes. Whether you’re waiting for an important result, working on a long-term goal, or dealing with everyday inconveniences like traffic or long queues, impatience can make these experiences much harder than they need to be. 

Really, it’s about managing your expectations and recognising that not everything will happen on your timeline; all you have direct control over is yourself, and what you choose to do and say. For me, it’s something I’ve struggled with professionally and personally and I’ve had to work really hard to become a lot more patient with things, and not allow myself to become affected by delays or slow growth or whatever. For example, I’m in the process of coming back to YouTube after a hiatus of about six months and I’m really focused on just allowing things to grow organically rather than getting frustrated if it doesn’t happen at the pace I want it to (and, by the way, I’ll include a link to my YouTube channel in the episode description if you’d like to subscribe and stay up-to-date with my videos).

The point here is that, by learning to overcome your own impatience, you can develop a much greater sense of control over your emotions (and that can improve both your productivity and your overall happiness).

Impatience often stems from a desire for immediate gratification, but life’s most meaningful achievements — like building a career, developing healthy relationships, or growing as a person — all require time, effort, and perseverance. If you allow impatience to dominate, you risk giving up too soon or taking shortcuts that might lead to unsatisfying results. Overcoming your impatience teaches you to be more thoughtful and intentional in your approach, allowing you to persist through challenges without being thrown off course by temporary delays.

Also, if you’re constantly battling with a desire for things to happen more quickly you can find yourself feeling mentally exhausted (like you’re always fighting an uphill battle). This creates a cycle of stress, which can be harmful to your emotional wellbeing. Over time, chronic impatience can lead to more serious issues like burnout or heightened anxiety, particularly when things don’t go according to plan. 

By learning to overcome impatience, you give yourself the gift of emotional balance. 

Patience helps you stay calm in difficult situations and allows you to ride out challenges without becoming overwhelmed. When you can approach situations in a calm way, you’re better equipped to manage stress and avoid the harmful effects of anxiety. You’re also less likely to react impulsively, which means fewer regrets and a greater sense of control over your circumstances (all of which builds your emotional strength and helps you develop healthier coping mechanisms).

By working on improving your patience you become more understanding and compassionate, both towards others and yourself. This can significantly improve the quality of your relationships, creating a more positive environment for everyone involved.

Overcoming impatience also boosts your self-discipline and perseverance; when you’re able to wait for things without becoming too frustrated, you’re more likely to stick to your long-term goals. Patience enables you to enjoy the process rather than just focusing on the end result, which can make your journey feel more fulfilling.

Patience also allows you to manage your emotions more effectively, reducing the mental and emotional toll that impatience can take. You’ll find you’re more at peace with the pace of life, which leads to a greater sense of contentment.

In general, overcoming your impatience is essential for managing life’s inevitable challenges in a healthier and more balanced way. By proactively focusing on developing your patience, you’re setting yourself up for a calmer life and personal growth.

So, then, how do you do all of that? Well, let’s first take a quick break to hear from the brands who help me create this show each week…

AD BREAK [Note: Ads do not play if you have Spotify Premium or are an Official Supporter tier Patreon supporter]

And welcome back! Now let’s get into the how-to part of today’s episode and let’s talk about… 

How to overcome your impatience

OK, first, pause and take a deep breath — when you feel impatience rising, pause and just focus on your breath for a few moments (ideally at least for 15-20 seconds). This helps immensely because it interrupts the cycle of frustration and gives your mind a moment to reset. Breathing deeply slows your heart rate, which reduces your stress response and brings you back to the present moment. You can do this by taking a few deep breaths, counting to five on the inhale, holding for a moment, and then counting to five on the exhale. It’s a simple technique, but one that works wonders in calming your mind and giving you space to respond thoughtfully.

Next, set realistic expectations — often, impatience stems from expecting too much, too soon. By setting more realistic expectations for how long something might take, or what you can achieve in a certain timeframe, you can manage your frustration more effectively; when you’re not constantly battling unrealistic goals, you reduce disappointment. Consider breaking down your goals into small, manageable steps and remind yourself that progress takes time. It’s all about pacing yourself and accepting that good things often take longer than expected. Speaking of, my next tip is…

Practice acceptance — learning to accept things as they are, instead of constantly wishing they’d move faster, is a powerful way to overcome impatience, because acceptance brings a sense of peace and reduces the frustration that comes from resisting reality. Remind yourself that not everything is within your control, and that sometimes waiting is just part of the process. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means recognising that the journey is just as important as the destination, and that learning to flow with life’s natural pace can make it more enjoyable (and a lot less stressful!). One way to do that is with my next tip…

Practice mindfulness — so, mindfulness simply involves staying fully present in the moment and accepting things as they are. This helps enormously, because impatience often arises when we’re focused too much on the future; in other words, on what we want to happen, rather than what’s happening right now. You can practice mindfulness by consciously engaging fully in whatever you’re doing, whether that’s eating, working, or even just walking. Pay attention to the sensations, thoughts, and feelings you’re experiencing in the moment. Do this for a few minutes a day and build on it over time, and it will train your mind to be more present, more patient, and less reactive. OK, next…

Reframe your thinking — when you feel impatient, try reframing the situation in a positive light. Instead of seeing waiting as wasted time, view it as an opportunity to relax or reflect which helps to shift your mindset from frustration to acceptance (making the experience feel more tolerable). Try consciously looking for something good in the moment; maybe you have some extra time to think, or you get a chance to catch up on a bit of reading. The more you practice reframing, the easier it becomes to stay calm and patient in situations that would normally test your nerves (and I talked about reframing in Episode 245, so check that out after this one). OK, so that leads to my next tip… 

Use waiting times productively — so, instead of letting times you have to wait frustrate you — like standing in a queue, or preparing for a meeting to start — use them to do something productive or enjoyable, which turns idle time into valuable time and reduces your sense of impatience. You can do this by keeping a book or podcast on hand, catching up on messages, or even practicing mindfulness (which turns the act of waiting into a moment of being fully present, without the need for distractions). By making the most of these types of moments, you’ll feel less like you’re wasting time and more like you’re using it wisely. OK, next… 

Distract yourself — when impatience starts creeping in, distracting yourself with something else can be a great way to manage it; this gives your mind a break from focusing on what’s frustrating you. You can do that by engaging in a quick activity that shifts your focus — like reading, listening to music, or even scrolling through some lighthearted content. The key is to choose something that doesn’t add more stress, but instead provides a mental breather. A well-timed distraction can help you return to the situation with a clearer and more patient mindset. Next…

Practice delayed gratification — one of the best ways to build your patience is by intentionally postponing rewards, because it trains your mind to tolerate waiting and reminds you that the best things often take time. You can do this by setting small challenges for yourself, like waiting an extra day to treat yourself to something you enjoy, or resisting the urge to immediately check your phone when it buzzes. Over time, practicing delayed gratification strengthens your ability to wait for larger rewards and it makes you more resilient in the face of everyday impatience. Next…

Count backwards from 100 — alright, so this one might sound a bit odd… but counting backwards from 100 is a great way to distract your mind and calm your nerves when you’re feeling impatient, because it forces your brain to focus on something else and it gives you a mental break from whatever’s frustrating you. You can do this by simply starting at 100 and counting down slowly; by the time you reach zero (or even halfway), you’ll often find that the feeling of impatience has lessened, and you’re able to approach the situation with a much clearer head. OK, next…

Write down your thoughts — when impatience strikes, writing down what you’re thinking and feeling can help you process it more rationally. Impatience often leads to mental spirals, where your thoughts race ahead of reality, so this is a great way to get those thoughts out (talking about it can help as well, preferably with someone objective). Try grabbing a notebook or opening the notes app on your phone and write down exactly what’s bothering you, why you feel impatient, and what outcome you’re hoping for. Once it’s on paper (or on screen), you can then step back and see whether your expectations are realistic or if you’re overreacting. This small and simple act of reflection can help you release the frustration, instead of carrying it around with you. OK, next…

Challenge your need for control — impatience often stems from a desire to control the outcome of something, so learning to let go of the need for everything to happen exactly as you want, when you want, can help reduce feelings of impatience. This teaches you to accept that not everything is within your control, and that’s OK. Remind yourself that some things are beyond your control and that stressing over them won’t change the outcome. Letting go of control helps you find peace in the process, rather than constantly rushing towards results. Next…

Focus on progress, not perfection — impatience often rears its head when you’re focused on achieving perfection or instant results. By shifting your focus to the progress you’re making — no matter how small that may be — you can ease the frustration of not getting everything done immediately. And it serves as an important reminder that progress, even in small steps, is still movement in the right direction. Track your accomplishments, no matter how minor, and celebrate each step forward. Remind yourself that growth takes time, and perfection isn’t the goal — moving forward is. OK, next…

Develop your emotional awareness — understanding what triggers your impatience can help you manage it more effectively, bearing in mind that impatience is often an emotional response to stress, fear, or frustration. By becoming more aware of the emotions driving your impatience, you can respond more thoughtfully. Do this by paying attention to when and why you feel impatient. What situations trigger it? What are the underlying emotions? Once you’ve identified the cause, it’s easier to develop strategies to manage your response. I’m going to be talking about how to be more emotionally aware in a few weeks’ time, so make sure you hit follow on your preferred podcast service (and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode). And, while you’re at it, feel free to drop me a five-star review if you feel so inclined… thank you! Alright, so my next tip is…

Be grateful — focusing on what you have, rather than what you’re waiting for, can significantly reduce impatience. Gratitude shifts your mindset from a state of lack to a state of abundance, which helps calm your mind; when you’re focused on what’s good in your life, you’re less likely to feel frustrated about what’s not happening yet. Try keeping a gratitude journal, and each day write down three things you’re grateful for (or you could use my daily gratitude and reflection tool, available from my store at ltamh.com). Over time, daily gratitude practice builds a habit of seeing the positive, which can reduce feelings of impatience. Next…

Practice self-compassion — being kind to yourself when you’re feeling impatient is crucial, because impatience often comes with self-criticism — thinking you should be better, faster, or more capable. By practicing self-compassion, you remind yourself that it’s OK to not have everything figured out straight away. Acknowledge that impatience is a normal feeling, but remember that it doesn’t define you. When you catch yourself being hard on yourself, pause and remind yourself that growth takes time and that you’re doing the best you can. OK, next…

Visualise the long-term benefits — so, when you feel impatient, it’s helpful to focus on the long-term rewards of sticking with the process rather than rushing towards the outcome. This helps to remind you that good things often come to those who wait, and it can reduce your tendency to rush or become frustrated. Try taking a moment to visualise what achieving your goal will feel like once the time is right, and imagine the satisfaction you’ll feel when all your hard work pays off. Keeping your eye on the bigger picture like this can help you remain calm and patient in the moment. Speaking of, my next point is…

Keep things in perspective — when impatience strikes, it’s helpful to take a step back and look at the bigger picture… rather than getting caught up in the frustration of the moment. You can do this by asking yourself whether the thing you’re feeling impatient about will matter in a week, a month, or even a year. Often, when you take a broader view, you’ll realise that the delay or waiting period isn’t as significant as it feels in the moment. Keeping that perspective helps you stay calm and patient.

[Final Tips and Next Time]

Because when it comes to overcoming impatience and your mental health, what it all boils down to is this:

Overcoming impatience isn’t about perfecting the art of waiting; it’s about learning to find peace in the process, and trusting that things will unfold in their own time if you just stay the course and take things one step at a time. By learning to manage your impatience, you’re giving yourself the gift of emotional balance — which will definitely benefit your mental health and overall wellbeing. Patience is a skill that can be nurtured with practice, and every time you choose to breathe, pause, and reframe a situation, you’re building a stronger foundation for your personal growth. So, take a deep breath, trust the journey, and remember that progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

The choice is yours, as it is with all things related to your wellbeing… so, what choice will YOU make today? 

Each week I like to finish up by sharing a quote about the week’s topic, and I encourage you to take a few moments to really reflect on it and consider what it means to you. This week’s quote is by an unknown author, and it is:

“Patience is a bitter plant, but it has sweet fruit.”

Unknown

Alright… that’s nearly it for this week!

Support my show on Patreon for early access to ad-free episodes and more; you’ll find it linked in the episode description.

And let me know, how do you overcome impatience? If you’re on Spotify you can share in the Comments section below, otherwise let me know on Instagram @ltamentalhealth or comment on the transcript and show notes, which you can have delivered to your inbox each week; sign up at ltamh.com or use the link in the episode description. And for more content follow my other Instagram account @itsjeremygodwin. 

I’ll see you next week for a new episode, when I’ll be talking about how to cultivate the best in yourself (including what ‘being the best version of yourself possible’ really means!). That will be out on October 13; hit ‘follow’ on your podcast service and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

Thank you very much for joining me today. Look after yourself and make a conscious effort to share positivity and kindness out into the world… because you get back what you put out. Take care and talk to you next time!

Let’s Talk About Mental Health is an independent program proudly produced by Reconnaissance Media. For more information visit reconnaissancemedia.com   

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Click here for details of mental health resources in most countries.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Find more content at www.letstalkaboutmentalhealth.com.au

Let’s Talk About Mental Health.
Making Mental Health Simple.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health. © 2024 Jeremy Godwin.

The information provided in this episode is for general awareness on the topic and does not constitute advice. You should consult a doctor and/or mental health professional if you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing. You’ll find additional information on the Resources page of this website.