Time Will Tell: But What Are You Building While You Wait?
And other ideas about the power of patience when we want everything now.
Watch above and read below.
Hello crea8ve being. How are you today? Smelling the roses?
We live in a world of instant gratification.
Hustle hustle hustle, want it all to come to fruition Now. Hustle. Wait. Hustle. Where is it? Now?!?
We want it all, and we want it now. We want our lives to be fulfilled, our dreams to come true, and our next big role to land in our lap, today. We send out that resume or pitch deck, and then we wait, checking our inboxes every five minutes.
"Why aren't they responding?" we ask ourselves. "Why isn't this happening faster? Why am I not seeing results?"
Let me answer these questions and more. But first, Welcome to theCrea8ve. Hi, I’m Gilli — executive coach, tech leader, creative rebel, and your ‘find-your-superpowers’ hype woman.
Over the last 20+ years, I’ve led a ton of teams across Google, Yahoo, Paramount, Disney, and a bunch of startups in both entertainment, media and technology, helping individuals, entrepreneurs and businesses thrive at scale. I also used to perform on massive stages with keyboard in hand, singing my lungs out, releasing music on CDs (not sure if any of you remember those) < 😮💨 Breath 🧘🏼♀️ >
My superpower? Helping bold humans lead with clarity, creativity, agility and courage — in work and in life. And That is why theCrea8ve as a platform is near and dear to me. (Read more here and subscribe to gain more from me for the cost of a cup of coffee a month.)
NOW: back to the bat channel at hand: About TIME:
We've been taught to hustle, to push, and to make things happen. But what if the most powerful thing you could do is learn to stop pulling at time?
Time isn't a linear race. It’s a continuum. As an entrepreneur building your vision or a leader seeking your next position, the universe will deliver what's meant for you when it's ready. The greatest lesson we can learn is to stop rushing the process. That next big win, the launch of your business, or the dream job, it will all happen at the right time.
So, what do you do in the meantime?
Trust and Patience: The Entrepreneur's Secret Weapons
This is where the magic happens. While you're waiting for that next door to open, your job is to embody trust and patience.
It's about knowing, deep in your gut, that the right opportunity will appear. The right role is coming. Your dreams will come true.
And here’s a critical insight from a personal and professional journey: what arrives might not look exactly like what you imagined. It might not fit the tidy picture in your mind. Your future will likely be different from what you think it will be, and it will probably be better. To get there, you just have to trust. You have to know that everything will work out exactly the way it's supposed to.
Proactive Patience: Getting Your Ducks in a Row
Patience isn’t passive. It's an active, deliberate state of being. It's the space you create to become the leader, the founder, or the creative visionary you're meant to be. This is your time to get your ducks in a row.
So, what does that look like?
Tidy Your Workspace, Tidy Your Mind: Whether you're an entrepreneur at your home office or a tech leader waiting for your next role, take this time to create an environment that fosters clarity and focus. A decluttered physical space often leads to a decluttered mind. Use this moment to clear out the old, both literally and figuratively, making room for the new opportunities that are on their way.
Sharpen Your Tools: Did you miss the chance to learn that new software or master that emerging skill in your field? Now is the time. Invest in online courses, read industry-leading books, and become an expert in a new tool that will give you an edge. The time you spend now building your skills is an investment that will pay dividends when the right opportunity arrives.
Build Your Vision Board: This isn't just a fun craft project, it's a powerful exercise in manifesting your goals. Physically map out your ideal life, career, and business. Let it serve as a daily reminder of what you’re working toward. This intentional act of visualization keeps you focused on your aspirations even when the path ahead isn't yet clear.
Go Deep on Your Niche: If you're building a business, use this time to conduct rigorous research. Understand your ideal customer, analyze your competition, and find the unserved gap in the market where you can truly thrive. This isn't just about waiting, it's about preparing so that when your moment comes, you can seize it with an undeniable strategy.
Or, Simply Take a Breath: Maybe the most productive thing you can do right now is nothing at all. Before the next chapter begins and things get incredibly busy, give yourself permission to rest, recharge, and enjoy the stillness. Take that trip, spend time with loved ones, or simply have a few quiet mornings to yourself. It's not a waste of time, it's an investment in your well-being.
Get Outside Your Own Head: Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Mentoring a young professional or helping a non-profit can not only be incredibly rewarding but also provide a new perspective and new connections that can serve you in unexpected ways. Shifting your focus to helping others can give you a fresh outlook on your own journey.
The "Wrench" in the Works
And if things have happened in your life, whether it's a loss, a change of work, or something didn't work out, that has kind of felt like a wrench in your life, know this: there is always a reason. These moments of disruption can feel devastating, but they are rarely the end of the story.
Almost always, there is a reason for the setback. It's often to clear a path and open up an even greater, more aligned opportunity for you. A door closes so a bigger one can open.
Embrace trust, cultivate patience, and remember that time is fluid. It doesn't matter if something didn't work out yesterday. What matters is that you remain open to what’s coming tomorrow.
So, let me ask you this: What do you truly want, and what are you doing today to be ready for it to be right?
xo,
Gilli
