They say patience is a virtue.
I don’t know about all that, but if I’ve got any virtues to claim, patience probably makes the cut. I don’t know where it came from but it’s always been there, and it’s served me well more than once.
But patience isn’t just waiting. I can't stand waiting for waiting's sake. Waiting is what happens when you're not doing anything, with no future benefit to staying motionless.
Patience is waiting in anticipation for a future benefit, irregardless of whether that benefit ever actually shows up.
I've made a few good career moves in my short career, and many of them required a little bit of patience. Anyone who’s job hunted in the few years knows how hard it is to find one. Five interviews, three references, sample work, more interviews, more waiting. It can take weeks to get an answer. And most of the time, you don’t control any of it. The worst part is trying to speed up the process.
Trying to get a result faster will only make things worse. Like quicksand, the more moves you make, the more dire your situation becomes.
Sometimes, the hardest thing is also the best thing… be patient.
Wild Patience
In last week's issue of The Field Review we talked about turkey hunting.
I told you about my sad turkey hunting statistics. Four years since taking a bird. Four seasons of early morning hope, followed by long walks back to the truck empty-handed.
I wasn’t necessarily proud of that number. But out of respect for myself, for you, and for the birds, I told you anyway.
Deep down I knew that patience would be the only way through this slump. What I didn’t know was how quickly things would change
Last Saturday on the season opener, three gobblers sounded off right on cue around 6AM, answering soft calls in the dark. At 6:20, I saw a fan pop up over the hill in the early morning fog. After a lengthy conversation about the beauty of the spring morning and some unmentionable sweet talking I won’t repeat to you, I laid that longbeard to rest at 7:04.
Anyone can be patient for an hour. This was patience for four years, and one hour
(35,065 hours in case you were wondering).
I don’t think that bird knew, and if he did, he didn’t care how long I’d waited.
But I did.
Patience + Belief
I find patience to hold more value when there is a tangible benefit to that patience. But even if that benefit is a little intangible at times, it's often best to pair patience with a little belief. Belief that success is out there.
Like I said up top, I don’t believe in waiting for waiting’s sake.
But I believe in holding steady when the time’s right, and trusting that all the quiet effort you’re putting in is building toward something even if you can’t see it yet.
I also know that patience won’t always pay off. Outside of death and taxes, there are never any guarantees. If you only stick with something because you think you’re deserving of a result, you’re going to lose your mind.
Patience isn’t about knowing it’ll work out. It’s about knowing you can’t force it. You just keep showing up, and maybe, eventually, something will break your way.
It might be the next job, the next chance, the next gobble breaking the silence of a quiet morning in the woods.
Call me Axl Rose, but all you need is a little patience.
From My Desk:
What I’m Thinking/ Doing: This deck project is seemingly never ending. I’m thankful for filling my turkey tag early so that there’s no divide in my mind in terms of priorities. We’re so close to finishing that I can almost taste the first dedication deck beer.
On the Substack front, next week will be TFR-052 marking the official one year anniversary of The Field Review. I’ve already started drafting the issue, and I’m excited to share it next Sunday. Stay tuned.
On Deck for Monday: Big week ahead that requires me to put on my client service hat with a plane ticket in hand. I feel like a real bizness man these days. If you have any Dallas, Texas food recommendations feel free to send them my way!
From The Field Review Archives:
The Field Review is a space for exploring the intersection of work, life, and the great outdoors. It’s about figuring ‘it’ out—whatever your ‘it’ might be.
Every Sunday at 10AM EST, I share ideas, insights, and conversations that help break through the noise, offering a real look at how we can all keep moving forward.
If you have any thoughts, questions, or topics you'd like me to explore in future newsletters, feel free to reach out!
Venture Onward,
Jack
Jack, I could relate to your story about not being able to rush the process of job interviews. When we lost our home in a wildfire, the recovery process was grueling - and no matter how badly I wanted to speed it along, I had to simply wait for the right things to work their way through to the end. I had to keep telling myself, "Patience, patience! It'll all get done in the right time." Being a "git 'er done" kind of person, it was a real lesson learned!
Hard 8 bbq in Dallas for some great barbecue!!