How is it that we can have the patience of a saint in one situation and then can completely lose it in others? Patience is the acceptance or tolerance of a situation. Pretty straight forward in it's definition. It implies self-control and discipline. Skills that most of us have in at least come part of our lives. Perhaps we are really patient with children and not so much with spouses. Or maybe we are really patient with our employees but not with our bosses or colleagues. Sometimes we are patient when it comes to waiting in line but not we we are stuck in traffic. Why is that?

I know for example I am very patient when it comes to teaching someone something new or explaining an idea or concept but then there are situations when that just goes completely out the window. So I know that I know how to be patient, I'm not lacking that skill, so why can't I be consistent? What triggers the difference? One thing I can think of is - expectations.

For example I have an expectation that I will get a good level of service from banks that have had my money for many years or for telco providers that tout service as a key differential to competitors with cheaper plans. When I don't get even the basis of service, let alone flexibility I tend to lose my patience. Is it wrong to have this expectation? No. Do I have a right to be unhappy or even frustrated by the service. Yes. Is it wrong for me to lose my patience with the customer service rep? Probably. It doesn't do me any good it just makes the whole experience less pleasant. The service rep just shrugs it off and moves on to the next call while I'm left chewing over it. Who suffers? I do.

What should I do? Meditate? Take a deep breath? Count to 10? Possibly. The one thing I certainly know I can do is to remember what's important. Or as Richard Carlson says: "Don't sweat the small stuff". In other words step back and put things into perspective.

Perhaps patience is a journey where we are continually tested along the way. Maybe it's about practice and continuing to recognise the triggers. Or Maybe it's a virtue that only 'Job' had.

What are your thoughts?