Self-Development and Patience: Playing the Long Game

Rome was not built in a day. They say that patience is a virtue, and it is recognized as one across all of humanity. In Islam, this virtue has a name: Sabr. When it comes to self-development, patience shows up as consistency.

Most of us know the pattern. For a long time we feel unmotivated. Then, once we finally become motivated to improve ourselves, we fill up with energy and want to do everything in one day. It does not work like that. Self-development takes time. In fact, it takes a lifetime.

So why are we so determined to develop ourselves overnight?

The Trap of Haste

The Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said that haste is from Satan (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2012). The Qur'an also notes that human beings are prone to hurry (Qur'an 21:37). When we are impatient, we often spoil the process of self-development and are forced to start again. For people living with bipolar disorder, a surge of energy followed by a crash can turn this into a never-ending cycle. Racing ahead does not shorten the journey. It only sends us back to the beginning.

Time: Healer or Sword?

They say that time heals all wounds. Time does have the power to heal and to solve many difficult problems, but only if we are patient and learn to use it to our advantage. This does not mean we become complacent and do nothing. Rather, we should strategize for the long term and play the long game to reach our goals.

If we do not use time properly to achieve our goals, it will come back to haunt us. The Arabs have a saying: "Time is like a sword. If you do not use it to cut, it will come back to cut you."

Learning from the Pace of Nature

A river is formed by drops of water. An avalanche begins with some falling snow, just as a landslide starts with a few falling rocks. Natural processes take time and start slowly. Leaves turn from yellow to brown over weeks. A rock is carved by blowing winds over centuries.

If nature, which obeys its Creator perfectly, moves at this pace, why should we expect to develop ourselves overnight? Allah loves those who are steadfast (Qur'an 3:146) and is with the patient (Qur'an 2:153). Consistent daily action, based on a long-term strategy, is the key to self-development, and we need patience to achieve it.