If there’s a key word for our current culture, then it’s “SPEED.”
We’ve become accustomed to speed.
Right here. Right now.
Fast wi-fi
Instant streaming
Same day deliveries
“15 Second Abs”
Instant noodles
Quick results = success. The end product less traveled.
Ancient wisdom said – “Fuck same day delivery!” OR perhaps more likely – maxima enim, patientia virtus – patience is the greatest virtue.
Patience seems to have been lost culturally somewhere post-dial up connection. I can remember waiting 5 minutes to load a webpage and it was “wow…behold…the power of the internet…like teletext but slower.” Now if I see 3G on my phone screen I die a little inside. Our expectations evolve. Everything has a cool down period. A time when the initial buzz of something wears off. Our attitudes to things you can’t mix with soy sauce and a kettle? It’s STILL right here, right now. Ever been to the gym once and looked in the mirror…”where are my results?…This plan doesn’t work at all.” Patience is a rarity in society now. If modern marketing has added anything catchy you can steal with pride and use in a blog post relating to patience then it’s….
“Good things come to those who wait.” – Heinz tomato Ketchup marketing slogan
Our global food giant friend had a good point. You have to wait for the best things in life. Relationships, friendships, careers, fitness, wealth, art, skills, knowledge, love – they don’t come in the same time as it takes for a kettle to boil. They take TIME. They take PATIENCE and COMMITMENT. Quick wins and short term results don’t require you to wait, invest time and commit to something regularly. There’s no PHILOSOPHY
If you have a long term philosophy beyond short term wins you’ll find you’ll stay committed. Think “I want to do exercise x and compete in race b in year z” NOT “ooooops holiday in 1 week, better do some crunches.” A quick win = a quick investment. A long term philosophy forgets about quick wins and short term success. A long term philosophy forgets about the carrot being dangled 2 inches in front of their faces and remembers that they’re after the field, not the carrot. Don’t believe me? Google 2008 financial crisis – short term greed = long term pain. Why think about the future while you’re lining your pockets right now? A long term philosophy – seeing the bigger picture – you’ll take the road less travelled and be happy to be patient. Because after all – good things come to those who wait.
Effecutivity 