The Waiting Room

August 5, 2024

Waiting in Line

A few weeks ago, I was headed out on a weeklong cruise. I was scheduled to fly out on a Saturday morning from Huntsville to Fort Lauderdale. I arrived at the airport with plenty of time to check in, however, nothing was working correctly.

American Airlines self-check in kiosks were all down and with only two ticket agents working, they were trying to get 200 passengers checked in for the early out flights. You could sense the tension as everyone had to wait in line.

I’m not sure why we Americans, just can’t wait patiently in line, without getting all worked up and upset over something you can’t control, aggravated at the agents who are trying their best to get everyone checked in, just to go sit at the gate and wait some more. That’s a topic for another time.

Ok, rant over, back to the story.

Early Is on Time

My parents instilled in me, “early is on time”. It’s programmed in me and can’t be undone. They were always early, so I usually am always early as well. Whether it’s to work, to an engagement, event, travel, etc. I have always hated being late. Now, when I say late, my late is probably still early for some people.

I’ll confess, I’m the type on the day of travel, I get up early, check and double my luggage, itinerary, etc. Then arrive at the airport early enough to get checked in, make it through security and have some time to just chill before boarding.

I do all of that, not so I can hurry up and wait, but to have time to enjoy the waiting. I know that may sound odd, but for me, there is a comfort that comes when I am waiting “on-time”.

I practice this same principle for most appointments, etc.

Do you know how to “wait on-time”?

Life is About Waiting

Not everything runs on time, especially early. How many times have you had an appointment, you arrived early, had your paperwork ready to go upon arrival, just to sit and wait for nearly an hour past your appointment time, before being called back, for another wait?

Life is about waiting. Even with our best laid out plans, itineraries, scheduling, etc. we spend much of our time just waiting.

“There is a life lesson in learning the Art of Waiting”

Years ago, we’d wait on the mail, today we wait on amazon to deliver. We get so impatient and upset when things do not arrive just as the app said they would or depart on time. And yet, we repeat the same pattern time after time just to get frustrated time and time again.

The Silent Period

Are you familiar with the “silent period”?

The silent period is the space of time when you are waiting for something, and it seems nothing is happening while you wait. Little if any communication happens during this space of time.

For example, this is the time you spend waiting in a waiting room before being called back for your appointment. Another example is waiting to hear back on a job application.

For many this period can be either extremely nerve racking, or it can be a place of calmness, depending on both the situation and the individual.

Finding Fulfillment in the Silent Periods

We will all face silent periods in our careers, relationships and personal lives. In our profession, it can be the time between assignments or promotions, the time before a next opportunity, or the time between a career shift or transition altogether. In our personal life, it can be those moments of transition, reset, or new beginnings.

Being able to find personal fulfillment during these times of life helps steady us, prepares us to be ready to take the next step, and allows our foundational roots to grow deep in this period of life.

“Fulfillment is the new Engagement in the Workplace”

During the silent periods of life, trusting yourself, trusting your knowledge and ability and trusting those around you will help you find greater fulfillment as a professional and individual.

Let me encourage you today, if you are in a “silent period”, you are not alone. If you see a friend or colleague walking in this period, reach out and encourage them.  

Finding our fulfillment in the moments of today is a blessing, for we are not promised tomorrow.

I’m Jason Thrasher and this is BestLife50.