Don’t you hate those times in life when you are unable to do anything but sit and wait? Yesterday I took some items to Buffalo Exchange, a regional store that buys new, gently used and vintage clothing for 30 percent of the sale price or 50% in store credit. Although I have consigned many clothes and items for years, yesterday was my first time at Buffalo Exchange. I made the rookie mistake of arriving 2 hours after opening and wound up in a long line of at least 25 people.
Two minutes into the wait the woman behind me started sighing, rolling her eyes, and said in the most whinny voice, “this is ridiculous - do you see any kind of movement?” I smiled and replied, “I see the same thing that you see. You can either go with the flow or resist it.” She desperately needed to do was change her attitude.
Next time you are waiting for something to happen - remind yourself that the only thing you really control is how you approach each experience. Waiting sucks – but we all have to do it at times in our life and career. Here are seven (7) things you can do to make the most of situations you can’t change or control.
1. Unleash your inner shutterbug: Take pics of interesting things all around you like graffiti art, someone wearing a wild outfit, or simply any person, place or thing that will make you and others smile. Check out my pic of the peach-colored dog I met at Buffalo Exchange on Instagram @pathtopurpose or Facebook or Twitter at Living on Purpose Project.
Read something that you were “destined” to read:2. There is a line in the movie The Hurricane starring Denzel Washington that says, “sometimes we don’t pick books, they pick us.” Next time you are cooling your heels pick up book, magazine or newspaper. Find an interesting article and then remind yourself that you would have otherwise missed this great information if you hadn’t been forced to wait.
3. Change your modus operandi (M.O.): From time to time you have to alter your particular method of doing things and approach situations from a new perspective. For example, if you always spend “waiting” time checking email or logging onto Facebook, switch it up and Google amazing vacation spots and create your all-time travel bucket list.
4. Cross a thing or two off the To-Do list: The great thing about our digital world and multiple devices is that it provides you multiple ways to get things done. While standing in line at Buffalo Exchange, I wrote this post and drafts of two others — making my 37 minutes in line not only fly by but causing me to feel extra productive.
5. Reach out and touch someone: Text seven friends to wish them a happy day or to line up plans for this weekend. However, you can go old school and talk to people around you. While in line I met two actors (Max and Konner - yes with a K) who had both recently moved to NYC to be an actor and do theater, and maybe one day make it to Broadway. Thanks Max for his great one-liner about waiting - “patience may be a virtue but it sucks.”
6.Do some mini meditation: Repeat a mantra, close your eyes for 30 seconds at a time, do deep breathing or stretch out your calf muscles, anything to add a little Zen to defuse the stress and anxiety of waiting.
7. Remember you’re not alone: Connect with others who are waiting in line or perhaps, like you, are waiting to find a new job or opportunity.
This week remind yourself that sometimes in life we simply have to wait before we can uncover or embark on another path. Embrace a new perspective by realizing that waiting sometimes prevents us from taking the wrong opportunity or path.