Patience – Superpower or Symptom of Indifference?

Chirimoya Inspired by Gaudi

The launch event for The Groundhog Career on 18th March has been the highlight of my year so far. What made it so special wasn’t just the book, it was the people. Athletes, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, artists, well-being professionals, and activists from different walks of life and nationalities came together in meaningful, vibrant dialogue. Diversity at its best, in every sense. 

One conversation from that evening stayed with me. A panelist spoke about the importance of patience in building a fulfilling career. Almost instantly, someone in the audience challenged that view, arguing the case for impatience. What followed was a lively exchange about whether it is better to wait - or to push. Indeed, it struck a deep chord with me. 

Time is our most precious currency. Once spent, it cannot be replenished. 

So how do we reconcile the need to act with urgency, with the wisdom to wait? The answer, I believe, lies in the balance. 

Take La Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s masterpiece. A project that has been under construction for over a century - still unfinished, always evolving. It’s a testament to patience, trust in process, and faith in vision. Many great works, from books to businesses to innovations, require that kind of endurance. 

But then think about artificial intelligence: concepts like machine learning and self-driving cars have existed for decades. What finally brought them to life wasn’t just patient development, it was the relentless impatience of entrepreneurs who refused to wait any longer. 

The corporate world offers a similar contrast. Companies like BP, GSK, Intel, and Nokia have sometimes drifted in circles, stuck in hesitation. Only recently have bold, impatient moves sparked necessary change. Meanwhile, organizations like Rolls-Royce, Sony, and Nvidia have managed to blend strategic patience with daring transformation, rewarding both employees and shareholders. 

Patience and impatience aren’t opposites. They’re partners - yin and yang! Knowing when to wait and when to leap is what makes the difference. 

So, whilst my thoughts may feel scattered across industries, innovations, and ideas, here’s what I’ve come to believe: 

Real magic happens when you develop the wisdom to know when to be patient—and when to be relentlessly impatient.