Waiting?
Often, we have a goal, a target that we wish to accomplish but takes time to reach. During achieving the goal, there are periods when we have to wait. There is nothing else that you could actively do to accomplish that goal. Reaching the plan at that point is out of your hands, and you cannot do much about it. This waiting period is the trickiest because it tempts us to be anxious or even become idle.
The question is, how do I maximize the waiting period? How do I productively spend the period of waiting? I will draw lessons from my own life because I have had to wait, and looking back, I saw principles that helped me wait properly.
The first principle that has helped me while waiting to realize that I am in a waiting period and little I could do about it. For example, if you are waiting to respond from a specific job application, you can send the company reminders, but there is nothing within your direct power that would make them reply quicker. There is nothing you can also do to expedite a job-search process other than applying to more. There is little you can do about their lack of response other than to wait. Realizing that you are in the waiting period would help you deal with the anxiety that comes with the waiting period.
Anxiety often accompanies waiting, and it makes waiting harder. Anxious thoughts fill your mind and thoughts such that you can’t even concentrate anymore. Anxiety at this point is natural because you do not know how well or poorly your waiting would turn out. However, be aware that anxiety is not the best use of your waiting period. Anxiety has to be handled. How you handle the situation is specific to you. But please consult experts on handling anxiety. If you are paralyzed by anxiety during your waiting period, you cannot do things that would help you navigate the waiting period properly.
Being active during your waiting period is essential. It would be best if you did not stay idle. Being idle could lead to a loss of focus. You can lose focus on the present and the good you can achieve during your period of waiting. You can even do things that help you or bring you joy, e.g., reading, taking up a new hobby, volunteering, and more. The advantage of this is that you come out of the waiting period with new skills, connections, or even habits.
Waiting requires patience and the knowledge that nothing lasts forever. This situation shall pass! You will overcome it if you take proper steps. It is an excellent period to grow as a person and also in character. Don’t waste your waiting period. Use it!
