Patience As Your Virtuosity

I recall the opening credits for each episode of the 1970’s television series, ‘Kung Fu’. The blind Shao Lin master monk would say to the young Kuai Zhang Kane: ‘Grasshopper – you have finally snatched the pebble from my hand. It is time for you to leave the monastery!’ A visibly sad, Kane would then get his first and last tattoo (of a dragon – what else?) seared into his puny forearms when he carried the hot cauldron with the embossed tattoo outline across a reasonable distance (to set the imprint). Indelible printing technology has come a long way! When I see the blood red ‘M-Dot’ on the Achilles Heel of triathletes – I know that they may have made their pilgrimage to Kona, Hawaii for the Ironman triathlon world championships. Such is pride born of patience.

My friend, John Cooke reached his target weight whilst training for his next Ironman in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. He has been patient and continues to reap benefits from his discipline to stick to his plan. We will be headed up their in about two weeks’ time. Three other participants dropped out from the original team, and are focused on Ironman China instead. This is a blog about a patient 45-year-old runner.

It takes time to improve. Youth has an advantage in terms of physical recovery. That does not mean Masters athletes don’t have an edge: we can get more with less. The over-40, athlete can become fitter and stronger with shorter mileage, and increased intensity. Thus, strength and power training through kickboxing, interval training, kettle-bell training, CrossFit (circuit training), core stability work, Pilates and yoga can enhance one’s physical performance when included in a weekly training menu. Proper nutrition takes time to be processed (digestion is about patience) and assimilated by your body.

The more challenging the goals or higher the expectations – the more patience we need. You cannot rush a professional photographer through a session and hope for great shots. You cannot be impatient with your convalescence when you realize that antibiotics and medicines take time to work their effects. You cannot rush potential business-partners or clients to seal a deal when trust and honesty is not fully there. Patience pays. It pays to be patient. Education takes time. The marathon is a longer race, run at a slower but sure pace – but you will get there, even if you walk.

If you like to test your patience, sign up for this mint race! It promises a totally new scenic view.

Leadership Lessons: How patient can you be? When do you lose your patience? How do you apply your patience to your profession, recreation and relationships?