It’s become a common belief that if you can’t deliver a message in the time it takes for an elevator ride, you might as well not bother. But is this a problem for the messenger, or is it more about the receiver’s impatience and reluctance to slow down and truly engage with the world?

The prevailing notion that we all have the attention span of the dog in the movie UP might be an easy excuse for our hurried lives, but it raises an important question: are we missing out on a world of knowledge, creativity, and diverse perspectives by racing through everything? It’s time to challenge this assumption and consider the cost of our impatience, not only in terms of missed opportunities but also in the stunting of our intellectual growth.

As someone who has taught, coached, and worked with thousands of professionals, I’ve gleaned valuable insights about the importance of patience and active listening in today’s fast-paced world.

1. Learning Takes Time: If there’s something new to learn, it’s unlikely that you’ll understand it in just a few seconds. Complex concepts and innovative ideas often require time to digest and fully comprehend.
2. Embrace Different Perspectives: People from various industries use jargon and terminology that might be unfamiliar to you. Instead of tuning out, take a moment to listen and understand their unique perspective and the value they bring.
3. Cultural Diversity: Different regions and cultures perceive the world in diverse ways. It’s essential to appreciate that not everyone will communicate or see things in the same manner as you do. Embrace these differences as opportunities for personal growth.
4. Manage Expectations: Expecting immediate gratification may not serve you well in the long run. Sometimes, it’s necessary to set aside preconceived notions and let go of the need for instant understanding to foster personal growth and development.
5. Patience Leads to Quality: If you value quality work and customized solutions, you must be willing to exercise patience. Great ideas and solutions take time to develop and refine, and rushing through the process can lead to subpar results.

So, what would happen if we shifted our perspective? What could we discover if we stopped rushing and put aside our assumptions about how we prefer to receive information? The answers may surprise us. We might find that the world is brimming with ideas, perspectives, and opportunities that we’ve been missing in our haste.

Understanding a concept or a perspective may not happen instantaneously. In fact, if you’re committed to expanding your horizons and deepening your knowledge, you should be prepared to invest time and effort into it. Staying with a topic of conversation until the fog of confusion clears will set you apart from the average.

It’s time to recognize that our short attention spans are not the world’s problem to solve. Instead, we should take responsibility for our own engagement, patience, and willingness to explore the depths of knowledge and understanding. In doing so, we can open ourselves up to a world of growth, innovation, and connection that we’ve been missing in our rushed existence.