You know that feeling — you start a project, plan a goal, and suddenly you can see the finish line, clear as day. Your brain tells you, “I’ve got this! A couple of hours, max.” You’re pumped, you’re excited… and then reality slaps you. Hard.
The hurdles show up like uninvited guests, the work starts dragging, and BOOM—impatience enters the chat. That “give-up” monster in your head begins whispering louder and louder: “Why bother? Let’s just quit now and eat jollof rice.” That’s what happens when you are impatient.
But here’s the thing: if you’re going to finish the race—whether it’s fixing a strained relationship, completing a course, sticking to a new habit, or surviving that never-ending project—you’ve got to keep your cool. Impatience can feel like an itch you have to scratch, but it’s also the ultimate test of self-control. So, grab some water, take a deep breath, and dive into this cheat sheet of reminders for when impatience starts knocking:
What Does Patience Mean?
Before we dive into the 7 golden reminders, let’s clarify what patience really means. Patience isn’t about sitting idly by while life runs its course. Nope, it is an active quality—a choice to keep moving forward while staying calm and composed despite delays, obstacles or slow progress.
Think of patience as your emotional anchor during a storm. It is what separates those who reach their goals from those who crumble at the first sign of struggle. And trust me, if impatience were a sport, we would all win gold medals—but it wouldn’t get us far.
Let’s break it down into 7 practical, real-life reminders to keep you going:
1. You Are Not Alone—This is Normal
First, take a deep breath and remind yourself: impatience happens to everyone. You are not the only one feeling like you are stuck in quicksand. Whether it is waiting for results, struggling with a goal, or pushing through an endless project, frustration is part of the human experience. Even Spiderman doesn’t swing flawlessly on his first try.
Here’s what you can do:
Be kind to yourself.
When impatience sneaks in, your inner critic often shows up too, whispering, “You’re too slow,” or “Why can’t you get it right?” But here’s the truth: self-kindness is your first line of defense against impatience.
Remember what matters most.
Remind yourself of what truly matters—your goals, values and the task ahead. Why did you start this journey in the first place? By reconnecting with your purpose, you will find the strength to keep going.
Focus on the reward.
And here’s the bonus: practicing patience actually increases your happiness and self-control. Studies show that patient people tend to experience more life satisfaction. Why? Because they focus on the bigger picture instead of obsessing over short-term frustrations. So, cut yourself some slack and trust that you’ll get there.
When you normalize impatience, it loses its grip. You’re human, after all—give yourself permission to slow down and trust the process.
2. If You Quit Now, You Will Have to Start All Over Again
Here is the hard truth: quitting might feel like sweet relief in the moment, but it is always temporary. When you abandon a task, you are not just giving up—you are setting yourself up to start again from scratch later. Is that really worth it?
Impatience often stems from stress and anxiety. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, even minor delays can feel catastrophic. That’s when you need to shift your perspective.
Instead of seeing setbacks as roadblocks, view them as detours—opportunities to learn or grow. Sometimes, all you need is a moment to pause and reflect. Step back, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: “Is this frustration worth my energy?”
When you reframe your thinking, you will find it easier to stay calm under pressure. And don’t forget to sprinkle in some humor—imagine your impatience as a toddler throwing a tantrum. Laugh it off and regain your balance.
Impatience might whisper, “Let’s quit now and just walk away,” but your future self will thank you for pushing through. Stick it out—you’re further along than you think.
3. You’re Building Stamina and Self-Efficacy
Here’s something to remember: patience is a muscle, and like any muscle, it gets stronger the more you use it. Every time you resist the urge to quit, you are building stamina, resilience and self-efficacy—the belief that you can handle anything life throws your way.
Want to supercharge your patience-building? Mindfulness practices are your best friend. Things like deep breathing, meditation, or simply being present can help you:
- Improve your patience by training your brain to slow down and stay calm.
- Boost your physical health—lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and improving focus.
Think of mindfulness as your “mental gym.” The more you practice, the stronger you become. Next time impatience creeps in, take a mindful moment. Breathe, refocus and remind yourself: you are not just waiting—you are growing.
4. You Can’t Control Everything, But You Can Control Yourself
One of the hardest lessons in life is realizing how little control we have over external events. Traffic jams, slow customer responses, delayed emails—these are all out of your hands. But here’s the good news: patience is not about controlling everything; it is about controlling yourself.
These tips will help:
Accept what’s out of your control.
Whether it’s traffic, slow progress or other people’s actions, some things are beyond your influence. Fighting them only drains your energy.
Learn your triggers.
What situations make you impatient? Recognizing them allows you to prepare and respond calmly instead of reacting impulsively.
Build self-control.
Patience is the ultimate self-control hack. When you master your reactions, you gain power over your life—not the other way around.
So, next time life kicks a wicked pass your way, remember: you cannot not reduce or widen the pitch and you will not be able to control the swerve, but you can control your position and movement. Stay calm, stay patient, receive the pass and keep moving forward towards your goal.
5. Life Moves in Circles—Your Turn Will Come
Impatience often comes from comparing ourselves to others or feeling “stuck.” But here’s a comforting truth: life works in cycles. Just like everyone eventually gets served at a bank queue, your turn will come too.
Here’s how to stay focused while waiting:
Keep aiming for the target.
Your goals won’t achieve themselves. When impatience strikes, it is tempting to abandon your goals or cut corners. But giving up will not get you where you want to be. Stay committed, even when progress feels slow.
Set realistic goals—one at a time.
Big dreams are great, but break them down into smaller milestones. Celebrate each win, no matter how small, and use it as motivation to keep moving forward. Progress, no matter how small, greases your motion and encourages you to take bigger leaps.
Look for opportunities to practice patience.
Also, look for opportunities to practice patience in your daily life. Whether it is waiting for your prayers to be answered or enduring a slow work-in-progress relationship, these little moments can strengthen your resolve for the bigger challenges ahead. Read a book, listen to inspirational podcast, volunteer your help and pray to God and thank Him for what He has already done.
Trust the process. Stay consistent. Before you know it, your number will be called—and you will hit your target.
6. Patience Only Develops When You’re Tested
Ever heard the saying, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”? Patience works the same way—it only develops when you are tested. If you have ever survived 3 hours of Lagos traffic or waited endlessly for something important, congratulations! You have been in “patience boot camp.”
What makes this powerful is that every test builds you up. Behind every achievement lies a series of hurdles, failures, and moments of doubt. Think about entrepreneurs who started from nothing, athletes who overcame injuries, or celebrities who faced countless rejections before making it big.
These stories remind us that patience is a common thread in every success story. When you hear about someone else’s perseverance, it gives you the courage to keep going. It also shapes your personality, making you more resilient and determined.
So, when impatience kicks in, seek out stories of people who have walked the same path. Let their experiences fuel your determination.
7. You Will Hit Your Target—Trust Me
Finally, let this sink in: success is guaranteed for those who refuse to quit. It might take longer than you planned, and the road might not be smooth, but if you keep showing up, you will get there.
Here’s the ultimate truth: patience is a long game. While impatience demands immediate results, patience teaches you to value the process.
When you stay committed to your goals, even in the face of challenges, you build habits that foster personal growth. Whether it’s learning a new skill, developing deeper relationships, or achieving career milestones, patience supports and inspires your long-term vision.
When you finally cross the finish line, you will look back and realize that every moment of patience was worth it; the delays and struggles will fade. No one remembers how long it took you to win—they only remember that you did it.
So, trust the process, trust yourself, and trust the timing. Your hard work will pay off.
Final Thoughts
Impatience might feel like an uninvited guest, but it doesn’t have to take over your journey. By practicing kindness, managing stress, and focusing on what you can control, you can transform impatience into an opportunity to grow.
Patience isn’t about waiting around—it’s about showing up, staying consistent, and trusting that progress is happening, even when you can’t see it yet.
So, next time impatience starts creeping in, take a deep breath and remind yourself: “I am closer than I think.” Keep going. Your turn is coming—and it will be worth every second.