Impatience is a terrible trait to have, they say.
After all, patience is a virtue, right?
And the publishing industry is snail-paced, so we must be patient.
But I'll tell you why impatience isn't a four letter word.
I have a friend who's suffering from an illness. And she's impatient to get better. I wasn't sure what to say to make her feel better. This is what came out:
"But impatience means you have a goal. And you want that goal to happen, soon. And it means you'll keep working towards that goal, that you haven't given up. That's good right?"
And it is.
I mean, I'm not saying if you're patient, you don't care. But impatience is proof positive that you have a passion for a goal.
So cheers to all you impatient people out there, like myself. Revel in it.
I'm raising my glass to you!
Also, please take a moment to visit Deb Salisbury's blog on how to deal with the waiting that comes with querying. Check out previous posts from Laura, myself, and Sarah!
46 comments:
You're absolutely right, Lydia. I think one of the differences is the amount of distress being impatient causes, both to us, and sometimes to people around us, when circumstances are completely out of our control. However--all emotions are adaptive, and impatience/eagerness are certainly sources of motivation and action!
I call that kind impatience - drive. And that is a good thing.
I knew I was impatient for a reason. Finally, some good words for impatience.
Thanks.
LOL, thanks for turning impatience into its own kind of virtue ;-)
I can't deal with impatience, it always drive me nuts, so I try to let it go as much as possible. I'm still keen to do things for myself, but when it comes to waiting on someone else to do their part - grrrr.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
I like this kind of positive impatience!!! :-) May it drive you onwards and ever upwards! take care
x
Thanks for your excellent take on impatience. Now I can feel less guilty about being the impatient person I am. =o)
What a nice perspective on a word that gets trashed. Perhaps we could change "impatient" to "eager" and make folks happy all the way around.
What about calling it "enthusiastic"? I'm very enthusiastic.
Nice twist. LOL.
THANK YOU! Finally Someone sees one of my major traits as good. What took you so long to write this, anyway?
Thanks! I'll drink to that. Coffee, at least. Its early here. And here's hoping your friend has a most healthy recovery.
Yay! Finally a shout-out for all of us antsy, hurry-up-already people!
What an excellent way to look at impatience—as proof of passion. Focus it productively and you've really got something! Wishing the best for your friend; may her impatience pay off in a beautiful way.
Cheers to you too! And I love your point of view. I must possess quite a few goals then. :)
This is wonderful! I am very impatient, so I needed to read this. Cheers to you, too! : )
I like the way you think!
Great thought-provoking post once again. I am of the mind that you must learn to be patient else you become one!
Passion is the word and mindset I prefer. Impatience leads often to ill-planned, hasty courses of action.
Apaches sneered at the white man in a tense stand-off, for he had no patience to wait for the right time, to endure the moment's anxiety in order to let the window of opportunity open as it always will.
No great painting is done all at once -- but a brush-stroke at a time. No great novel is written overnight -- but one carefully selected word, one polished sentence at a time.
But, hey, I'm not selling like Amanda Hocking or John Locke, so what do I know? LOL. Roland
What a great take on this! And here I thought I was being childish. I like the way you think!
Hmmm, I never looked at it that way, but I like it! Very good point.
Very true! Couldn't agree more. I think it's that restlessness and need to accomplish our goals (soon!) that gets so many writers writing.
Ah, great point. Yay for passion!! And double-yay for goals!!
Now that is a positive spin on the word!
Positive impatience. Proof of passion. What a great perspective!
I love to quote my friend Tiffany who says, "I have no time for patience!"
I can TOTALLY agree with that :)
I LOVE that perspective. :)
Now that's a slant I haven't before, and (being an impatient person) I love it! I couldn't agree more. Impatience, when harnessed, can be a tremendous driving force in an author's life. If we're content to wait forever on something, nothing will ever get accomplished.
You are absolutely right. Whoever said patience is a virtue can suck it. I'm going to celebrate my passionate, impatient nature--because the (goal-driven) sinners are much more fun. . . *cues Billy Joel's Only the Good Die Young*
I've never been patient, but always tenacious. :) Cheers to you, Lydia.
I like the way you think, Lydia. That is the perfect way to look at impatience and, suddenly, I'm glad I suffer from it.
I have lots of impatience in relation to my writing. ;-)
Like your take on the subject. Impatience can make us scattered. It's good to keep setting those goals. I just learned that with hip replacement surgery. I was impatient to dump the walker and get back on my feet, so I did it in just over a week.
Ah, Impatience, thy name is Author. How amazing that we find ourselves growing impatient with the journey to writing yet there are people waiting for things so much more detrimental to their lives. Sometimes the whole idea gives me pause...
Great post as always, girlie! You are my muse. :)
Well said Lydia.
I think using what can be a negative like impatience as a postive in motivating us is beneficial; especially during the most difficult times.
Great point and I love that clock :)
I must remember this the next time I chastise myself for being impatient. Perhaps it will help me figure out what my goals truly are!
I think I probably have too much patience.
If you get a chance, check out a fellow writer's zombie story and help me make him wear an embarrassing shirt next year! Details are here:
http://kelworthfiles.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/prove-the-zombies-wrong-social-platforms-can-build-readership/
This kind of makes me feel better coz i am always being told im impatient..mkes me feel real good and i mean ..REAL GOOD! I like your blog, i am a new follwer for sure. :):)
I never quite thought about impatience that way. I'll amend it to say that I'll be impatient with progress, but still patient with people;) Cool blog:)
Great post and great point! This is very positive thought!
ahhh... ((BIG HUGS)) I love my doctor-friend who makes me get all misty unexpectedly. As well as glad I'm terribly impatient. Thanks for making it a good thing, and this was a fantastic post~ :o) <3
Cheers! I admire people with passion for something - even when it comes out as impatience. :)
I have been afflicted with a very special strain of impatience. It's impatience to have the shoe drop, one way or the other, and I often end up with the shoe forced into the wrong direction as a result. :(
You make a really good point! My impatience does keep me moving forward.
Finally, validation for what I've often had called a character flaw!
I’m glad to be a new follower and have left a response to your comment on Bird’s-eye View at http://michellefayard.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-blog-comments-to-work-for-you.html.
Since my lack of patience is legendary in certain quarters, I'm relieved to read this. Patience is a virtue but impatience can be a virtue too - when I'm not screaming at someone to hurry up.
Jai
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