Mastering Patience: Practical Steps to Cultivate Mindfulness in Daily Life.

Because of the way our minds are organized, we frequently give up on things that don't work immediately away when things aren't going the way we'd like them to. This frequently causes people to avoid difficult circumstances and people, or they may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms like binge drinking alcohol or staring at their phones for extended periods of time. Here are some pointers I have about developing patience:

• Spend at least ten minutes each day in meditation. The best way to accomplish this is under the guidance of a mindfulness teacher and the accountability and support of a class.

• Take a moment to relax and inhale when you find yourself in a scenario that is making you feel anxious or impatient. Recall that nothing changes immediately and that behaving thoughtlessly will probably have unfavorable effects.

• When speaking with people, put your opinions about what the other individual is saying and your own thoughts aside to engage in mindful listening.

• Before answering, pause, consider what you truly want to say and the most effective way to say it.

You'll notice a gradual improvement in your life once you follow through on these four actions every day. Being more patient is just the beginning of what mindfulness can do to transform your life.