How to wait like an eagle instead of a chicken (2023)

The three things to do while you are waiting for something good to happen.

It’s that time again for me to repost one of my most popular blogs “How to wait like an eagle instead of a chicken.” Why? 2023 has begun with a lot of uncertainty; for example, the potential of a recession; the potential of the stock market really crashing; and the potential of unemployment getting very high. No one knows what is really going to happen, but there is one thing I do know: How we choose to wait will determine how well we handle the uncertainty. Some people are going to nervously wait and shoot themselves in the foot; whereas others are going to confidently wait, see and seize new opportunities. 

With that background, here it is:

Have you ever noticed how majestic eagles look when they are waiting? I have always been impressed by their patience. Eagles appear so poised and elegant as they scan the horizon. Contrast that to how chickens wait nervously and are constantly bobbing their heads all over the place. I must admit that like many people patience isn’t one of my strongest traits. I like for things to happen. When they take a long time, I get anxious, frustrated, and sometimes down. I’ve been this way almost all of my life. I remember when I was in the eighth grade, we had to write a poem in English class. Mine consisted of one line that said, “Lines, why do we have to wait in them all the time?”

Recently, I’ve thought about what could I learn from eagles so that I can wait the way they do. Here’s what I’ve come to realize:

1.     Focus. Eagles can see for a mile. Can you image all of the things that they see moving? It also means that they can see storms coming way before they get there. Eagles have a tremendous ability to focus on the few things that really matter and block out the many things that don’t matter.

2.     Confidence. Eagles are confident that what they are looking for will eventually come into view. As a result, they don’t get anxious, frustrated, or down—they know that it will happen and they will be successful.

3.     Foundation. Eagles always strengthen their foundation. They build their nest a little higher and bigger each year. A strong foundation gives them the confidence that they will weather whatever storm comes up. Our foundation consists of two things:

• What we know: Use times of uncertainty to build-up your understanding of something new. For example, I’m learning a lot of new things about new ways to increase the effectiveness of adult learning in a digital and virtual world of constant change.
• Who we know: Use times of uncertainty to get to know someone new. Doing so allows us to see the world through the eyes of others, which in turn opens our eyes to new opportunities.

Focus, confidence, and a strong foundation allow eagles--and also people--to be patient, poised, and elegant while they are waiting. If you are or know of someone who is waiting like a chicken for a health, financial or employment breakthrough, you know what you and they need to do to wait like an eagle.

#WednesdayWisdom #FridayThoughts #FridayWisdom

James Dallas is the author of Mastering the Challenges of Leading Change: Inspire the People and Succeed Where Others Fail and an accomplished senior executive. As president of James Dallas & Associates, he consults with and speaks to companies and organizations about managing change. He has been named one of the most powerful black men in corporate America several times in his career by Black Enterprise and Savoy magazines.