"Patience is a virtue. The ability to wait for something without excessive frustration is a valuable character trait.”

Wow! Is the statement above ever the truth! Personally, I never really thought of the statement “Patience is a virtue” too much . Sure we’ve all heard the statement, but I never gave it too much thought until I’ve noticed it coming up more and more in client coaching calls. Clients will say: “I’ve done everything we’ve talked about, set my intentions/goals for what I want to manifest, believe in my goal, feel that it’s already mine, and believe I can have it, …..so where is it?” Good question.

And what comes to mind, and what I share with clients is, the valuable lesson (among many valuable lessons) I’ve learned reading Cheryl Richardson’s Unmistakable Touch of Grace. Cheryl talks about so many great things in the book as they relate to Grace playing a key role in your life. Her chapter titled Dancing with Grace specifically talks about our life being directed and co-created by a Higher Power – and our only job is to pay attention and act on what we hear.

In regard to patience, Cheryl talks about how the ability to surrender our attachment to the outcome is a sign of spiritual maturity. She points out that: “Whether we are faced with a fear of loss, anxiety about an uncertain outcome, or the aching desire for something we can’t have, our willingness to relinquish control and put faith in an outcome we cannot see is a crucial element in learning to dance with grace. The challenge is learning to surrender before the suffering begins.”

The above excerpt reminds me of a client I’m working with who put all her energy and focus on designing a client program that she believed would be a fabulous resource. She then setout and presented the program to multiple clients. A week later, she came to our coaching call very frustrated. “No bites, can you believe it? I put so much into this program and it’s a flop!” I encouraged her to talk more about the feedback she received from her clients. “Well, one needs to think about it, another said sounds great but just need to check with another person and….well, nobody bought on the spot!” “Okay” I replied, “So tell me what you think of the feedback you received in general – do you feel the program is truly a flop?” “Well no not exactly I guess, I just expected people to buy right then, and not have to think about it.” She said. “Okay, and do you feel like you’ve done everything you could to explain the program and demonstrate it’s value?” I asked. “Yes, I do – absolutely, I believe I did all I could do”. Ahhhh, key statement – and I noticed a brief silence from my client – and she chimed in to state: “So you still there is hope that they’ll move forward?” I asked her “Do you?” “Well actually yes I guess I do – maybe my expectation of people buying on the spot was too high and I should be a bit more patient with them – and also myself” She stated.

Aren’t coaching clients so wise? She came up with the answer all on her own – which is our role as a coach – to ask the right questions that bring out our clients wisdom and brilliance. Being more patient with her clients and herself was what she needed to do – and a big shift happened for her during that call. This AHA moment was a big one for this particular client as she realized that does tend to get impatient if things don’t manifest in the time that she thinks they should. I explained: “Often, we feel that things should happen on our timeline- and if they don’t something is wrong.” And as Cheryl states in her book: “…There is our timing and then there is Divine timing.” And that placing our bets on Divine timing will always payoff.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced blessings in disguise – things not working out exactly as we planned – but we realize the way they eventually worked out was truly the best way. So trust, patience and faith are the key words that I believe we can all incorporate – and partnering with a Higher Power truly a valuable business and life tool.

Proof that patience truly is a virtue, my client called to share her success – the client of hers who needed to check with someone else actually bought two programs – and is planning to refer her program to a couple of other people! She explained also that while her clients were making their decisions, she had some time to add a few components onto the program that will make it even more valuable to her clients! “Divine timing truly is the best way!” she exclaimed. I smiled over the phone and said “I absolutely agree” and thought to myself “Thanks Cheryl – a true dance with Grace at work”