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On the journey of life while pursuing any type of goal just about everyone has gone through a waiting period before reaching that next level in life. Whether you're pursuing a career and waiting on a promotion. In college looking to further your education and waiting to graduate. An entrepreneur who decided to branch out and waiting for business to take off or a recently married couple waiting to start a family. Most people want instant gratification and expect to reach the next level without any challenges or sacrifices; not knowing success comes in waves and sometimes those waves can take years. Having to wait on what you believe you're ready for can become frustrating. I once heard someone state, "Frustration comes when you were built to do 40 but you're stuck in a 5-mph zone." While you're in the waiting stage there a few things you want to remember:
DON'T CHASE
Many people fail or are thrown off course when they go out looking for opportunities. Understand that every opportunity available is not necessarily meant for you. However, when you're in the waiting stage many people become blindsided and will accept anything only to find out after wasted time that it wasn't meant for them. I hear many say, "Opportunities won't just come to you; you have to chase them down." In my opinion, the right opportunities that are meant for you will come no matter what. If you're doing the necessary, work and taking the necessary steps needed to get to your goal then eventually what's due to you will present itself in due time. This could mean being in the right place at the right time or getting a call from a lead you reached out to years ago. It's no coincidence when great opportunities come to you. It just means the timing is right. The key however is to sharpen your skills daily and be prepared for when your opportunity does come.
EMBRACE IT
Do not fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself. Many people never make it to that next level because they become bitter about their current situation and don't look at the bigger picture. When people feel sorry for themselves and see others succeeding, they become envious because they're not where they believe they should be. An important key is to celebrate others during this time. Instead of being upset, you should get advice from these people because trust me they've been where you are, and you can learn from their story. Also, when you reach your destination you want others to celebrate your success so it's important that you do the same.
DON'T QUIT
I'm sure the thought of quitting and settling for where you are crossed your mind at least once. Now admitting to it doesn't mean you're a quitter or can't handle the pressure. It just means you're human. If you're putting in the work, staying on course and moving in the right direction eventually all the pieces of the puzzle will begin to fit. The key is not to give up before the full puzzle is complete. Keep the momentum going and encourage yourself daily even when you don't feel the need to. Some ways of doing this are through music, inspirational readings, motivational speaking, and seeking a higher power.
Many successful people who went on to do great things have been at the same crossroad. The reason why you read and hear about these individuals is that they didn't quit despite life obstacles and if they can do it so can you. During this time, you should be preparing yourself for all that you've asked for. One of my favorite quotes, "Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we are waiting." Joyce Meyer.
Share you story. What strategies did you use to help during your waiting period?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jamelah Henry specializes in producing "All-Star" employees for the workplace. She is a product of a job training program from early in her career. She used the skillsets that she learned and was immediately recognized by top employers. After a few short years in the workforce, she was promoted to a management position. She spent the last 17 years of her career working as a manager, trainer, recruiter, and entrepreneur specializing in hiring, training, coaching, and developing both existing and new hire employees to bring their best to the workplace. She is an SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Certified Professional, earned a B.S. in Human Resource Management from Wilmington University, and a member of the Delta Epsilon Rho Honor Society. She is also a current member of the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA) and working towards a certification as a National Resume Writer. In her spare time, she likes giving back to her community!
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