I am a relatively patient person, at least I try to be. I taught 5-17 year olds math for 5 summers in a row. I have waitressed at the same restaurant for the past 2 years. I work 5 days out of the week, the same shift, I see the same people and hear the same stories, everyday.
But this is a new patience. It's so hard sitting around and waiting to hear back from exhibitions or from individuals. I check my email three times a day and usually have the same outcome, "No new messages." This is hard, but I am learning how to be even more proactive. Instead of waiting, I am out doing. I am getting my name out there. I am speaking one on one to people. I am posting more on Facebook and Instagram (more than just my usual selfies ;) )
I have so many ideas for my future and it's hard, because I want to do them all, but I am learning that I don't have to do it all this week.
The following is an excerpt from Tim Ferriss' book, "Tools of Titans"
Don't Be A Donkey
Tim: "What advice would you give to your 30-year-old self?"
Derek: "Don't be a donkey."
Tim: "And what does that mean?"
Derek: "Well, I meet a lot of 30 year-olds who are trying to pursue many different directions at once, but not making progress in any, right? They get frustrated that the world wants them to pick one thing, because they want to do them all: 'Why do I have to choose? I don't know what to choose!' But the problem is, if you're thinking short-term, then [you act as though] if you don't do them all this week, they won't happen. The solution is to think long-term. To realize that you can do one of these things for a few years, and then do another one for a few years, and then another. You've probably heard the fable, I think it's 'Buridan's ass,' about a donkey who is standing halfway between a pile of hay and a bucket of water. He just keeps looking left to the hay, and right to the water, trying to decide. Hay or water, hay or water? He's unable to decide, so he eventually falls over and dies of both hunger and thirst. A donkey can't think of the future. If he did, he'd realize he could clearly go first to drink the water, then go eat the hay.
"So, my advice to my 30-year-old self is, don't be a donkey. You can do everything you want to do. You just need foresight and patience."
Glad I read this at 23. Check out this book, for real though :
https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Titans-Billionaires-World-Class-Performers/dp/1328683788