Why Waiting Matters

Time it right or you will miss blueberry season.  Hint, hint, it is right now.  Waiting for those plump, fresh, delicious purple jewels to reach full flavor.  I picked, ate, and baked.  Who could wait?  Fresh blueberry muffins, right out of the oven.  Delicious.  Four hours later, a second blueberry muffin.  And you know what?  It was even more delicious.  Who knew that waiting would make it better?  Waiting matters when you want maximum results.

Wine lovers know the perfect time to open up a bottle.  How long to let it breathe.  And they know exactly what to pair it with to make it even more delicious.

Deal makers intuitively know that precise moment in negotiations to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.

Good managers instinctively navigate team dynamics.  Knowing just when to push back.  When to build confidence.  What to explain.  This results in each person doing their best.  They use resources like my Pie-Chart Alignment Tool.

So why am I so impatient?  Why do I want it right when it comes out of the oven?  Why can’t I wait?

1.  I Know What I Want

I know what I want, why do I have to wait?  Doesn’t this give me free rein to go get it?  I am the boss after all.  I’m in charge.   I’ve earned it.  How can I stop and see a different choice?

2. Assuming

It will work out.  Competency trumps negativity.  The plan will come together.  If it goes sideways, I can handle it.  Haven’t I been through worst before?  I will make sure it works.  Remember the famous line from the original TV series the Odd Couple?

When you assume you make an ass out of you and me.

3.  There Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day

Seriously.  Sometimes I don’t want to wait.  I just want to get on with it.  Cross it off my list.  Put it in a file and forget about it.  Stick it in a draw.  Get it done so I can move on to something else.

What’s Next:

Even a bad blueberry muffin is a pretty good thing.   I can make it better by learning to hone my timing.  Striving to get the full flavor, the full intent, and the full experience of the muffin.  I won’t assume hot out of the oven is always better.  Think it through to the credit and remember the immortal words of Tom Petty…

The waiting is the hardest part.