How to be more patient at work: Examples and tips
Everyone has moments at work where patience wears thin. You could be dealing with a lagging computer, fixing someone else's mistake, or hearing there’s a last-minute change to a project you're working on. Unfortunately, you can't control outside factors – you can only control how you respond.
Patience is a virtue, as the saying goes. It’s a trait that can make a real difference to how you feel and react to situations, how others feel around you, and your overall wellbeing. The good news is that patience is a skill you can improve through practice, so that it comes more naturally, even in the most trying times.
In this article, we look at why patience is important in any workplace, how it's beneficial to you, and practical ways you can stay calm when the going gets tough.
Why patience is important at work
Patience helps you stay calm and maintain an even keel when things don’t go to plan. It helps you control your emotions so you can think clearly and act in a level-headed and professional way. There are also physical and mental health benefits to practicing patience, as it reduces feelings of stress and anger.
Patience is essential for building trust with coworkers, because it shows you can be relied on to be composed and focused, even during stressful times. Patience is a sign of emotional intelligence, self-awareness and maturity – all desirable qualities in the workplace (and in general).
Patience synonyms: tolerance, endurance, calmness, perseverance |
Impatience at work: Examples and causes
There are lots of reasons someone might lose patience at work. When there’s pressure to get things done, or a deadline that needs to be met, impatience can be a natural consequence.
Common causes of impatience at work include:
Something taking longer than usual
Being interrupted
Unexpected delays
Feeling tired, hungry or overwhelmed
Last-minute changes
Making mistakes
High expectations
Understanding your triggers
Understanding what tests your patience can help you mentally prepare for those situations or avoid them altogether. Instead of feeling caught off guard by impatience or frustration, you can make a plan for handling stress before it happens.
Start by noticing when you feel irritated. What happened? How did you react? Look for patterns of frustration in your day. Maybe you’re more likely to feel irritated in the mornings or when someone interrupts you. Once you know what’s likely to annoy you, you can work on handling those situations with more patience.
How to be more patient at work (step by step)
Practicing being more patient at work is something you can do every day. Try these practical steps that can benefit you in any type of situation or workplace.
Step 1: Pause before reacting
Often, it’s personal interactions that trigger impatience. A good way to practice patience with other people at work is to react mindfully, taking a pause before speaking or acting, and thinking about your response before you give it.
Example: A coworker is messaging you to ask for something you already sent them. You don't respond to them while feeling annoyed, you wait a few minutes to reply and calmly resend the file without pointing out their error. |
Step 2: Take a deep breath
As soon as you notice feelings of frustration rising, take a deep and slow inhalation through your nose, exhaling through your mouth slowly and intentionally. Deep breaths signal to your body that you're relaxed and there’s nothing to worry about, which in turn helps you feel calmer. A few deep breaths will slow your heart rate.
Example: Your computer shuts down for a software update while you’re in the middle of something important. You take a deep breath and go for a walk while it updates. |
Step 3: Reframe the moment
Reframing means shifting how you see a situation – or finding the silver lining of a situation. Is it a crisis or just a hiccup? By changing your mindset, you can reduce how annoyed you are by a situation or outcome.
Example: A client changes their mind about a job, causing you to revise your work. Instead of feeling defensive or annoyed, you reframe the situation in your mind. Yes, you have to redo the job, but it sharpens your skills, gives you more experience, and makes you more efficient. |
Step 4: Practice empathy
Being compassionate in the workplace helps you be more patient with people. When you have compassion and empathy, you undertand that no one is perfect, and that mistakes, delays and bad moods happen.
Example: A new coworker keeps making the same mistake and you have to fix it. Instead of thinking about it as purely an inconvenience to you, you see it as an opportunity to teach them, and to build a better workplace relationship with them. |
Step 5: Manage your stress
Sometimes impatience is a sign that you are putting yourself under too much pressure. You’re more likely to feel irritable if you’re not sleeping well, skipping meals, or working too much without a break. To reduce stress levels, consider delegating work, taking more or longer breaks during the day, and practicing mindfulness breathing exercises.
Example: Go for a walk on your break. If you can’t leave your workplace, read or watch something unrelated to work, or listen to some music. Do whatever you can to give yourself a rest. |
Step: Practice patience with yourself
It’s easy to lose patience with yourself when you’re in a rush – but negative self-talk is not productive or good for mental wellbeing. When you’re feeling frustrated with yourself for making mistakes or lacking concentration, practice some positive affirmations.
Example: You keep making silly errors, but instead of thinking, What’s wrong with me, I’m so bad at this, you think, I’m doing the best I can, I’m only human and mistakes are normal. |
Tips to being patient with people
Patience is easy in theory, but can be very difficult in practice. No matter where you work, you’re occasionally going to have interactions you find frustrating and that require extra patience. These interactions can derail your day, affecting your mood, and slowing you down.
Staying calm when dealing with others is a workplace superpower. Here are some practical tips to help you stay cool and handle challenging interactions with composure.
Control your reaction
You can’t change how others act, but you can decide how to respond. Staying calm avoids fuelling the problem.
Example: Say a colleague makes a sarcastic comment in a group conversation. You choose not to react, and continue the conversation without acknowledging the comment.
Don’t jump to conclusions
It’s easy to assume someone is being intentionally rude, but there could be more to the story. Stepping back and giving them the benefit of the doubt can help you stay patient and stop a situation from escalating.
Example: A colleague is sending curt responses by message, but you don’t take it personally – maybe they’re just behind schedule and not trying to be unfriendly.
Limit your exposure, where possible
If you find that someone in particular zaps your energy, it’s okay to avoid them. Keep interactions short and related to work.
Example: One of your coworkers complains and gossips during lunch breaks. You decide to take your break at a different time or in a different place.
Lean on a support crew
It’s always nice to have people at work you can relate to when you need moral support. Try to make friends at work, so you have a support system that can help you through tough moments.
Example: You have a teammate who understands your frustrations and can offer a listening ear, making it easier for you to practice patience when you need to.
Manage your expectations
It’s unrealistic to expect everyone to behave and work to your exact standards. By having realistic expectations about people and outcomes, you avoid feeling let down or inconvenienced when things don’t go 100% perfectly to plan.
Example: There’s one colleague who is always five minutes late to work. Instead of being annoyed by it every day, you just accept it as fact. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal.
The long-term benefits of building patience
Patience pays off in more ways than one. When you’re consistently patient, it shapes your reputation and how you experience your job. It makes you trustworthy when coworkers learn they can rely on you to stay calm, even when things go wrong.
Patience also protects your mental energy and can help you be a happier person overall. Conversely, stress is unhealthy and unsustainable – chronic stress from being annoyed at little things can affect your mental and physical health.
Patient and level-headed people also tend to make better choices, which affects their productivity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The long-term benefits of this over your career can include professional opportunities like performance bonuses and leadership roles.
Patience is a mindset
Patience doesn’t just come from reacting well in the moment; it also comes from creating habits and routines that make it easier to stay calm.
These tools can support a more grounded approach to daily stress.
Start small: Pick one intention each day. For example: “Today, I won’t respond to my coworker’s negative comments.”
Try mindfulness: Use an app or just breathe deeply for five minutes during a break.
Keep a calming phrase handy: Something simple like “Breathe first” can help when you feel worked up.
Notice your physical cues: Pay attention to any tension in your jaw or shoulders , which can signal stress before you feel it.
Take short breaks: Go for a walk or just sit and notice your thoughts, without any distractions.
Look after your physical wellbeing: Good sleep, nutrition and exercise all contribute to mental health and the ability to act mindfully.
Save patience quotes: Keep a few lines that help you refocus when your patience is tested. Keep them handy for trying times.
Patience might not always come easy, but it’s one of the best personal traits you can develop, and one that can help you through every stage of your career. It helps you stay calm under pressure, build stronger workplace relationships, and make considered decisions when things don't go to plan. It's also an essential tool for managing everyday stress and supporting overall wellbeing, in and out of the workpalce.
FAQs
What are the benefits of patience at work?
Patience helps you avoid conflict and build supportive relationships at work. You make better decisions and feel more in control of your emotions. Over time, this creates a better work experience for you and the people around you.
How do I practise patience in high-pressure jobs like retail, construction or healthcare?
Use breathing exercises, positive phrases and breaks. Go for a walk to get coffee or a snack. Have a support person you can talk to and go to for encouragement.
What does “thank you for your patience and understanding” mean at work?
It’s a way of saying, “We know this delay or issue isn’t ideal, and we appreciate you not reacting negatively.” When a service isn’t available, “Thanks for your patience” is a common message in customer-facing communications.
Can reading patience quotes help you be more patient?
Yes; short reminders like “Pause before you react” or “Not everything needs a response” can help you practise patience at work. When you repeat these mantras in your head, you can create a permanent change of mindset.
What steps can I take to be more patient with coworkers?
To be more patient with coworkers, practise empathy, pause before responding, and remember that no one's perfect. Don’t take their actions personally and set limits on interactions if you need to. Talk to a work buddy or someone who can offer encouragement.
