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The art of waiting: A pointer guide for job seekers, decision-makers
Waiting is about creating a dedicated space, both physical and virtual, for personal and professional development.
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Passengers line up to check in at Terminal 1A of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten on April 4, 2024. (Antara/Muhammad Iqbal)
Waiting, often perceived as a passive act, is a critical component of success when viewed through the lens of preparation.
In my book Disciplined Storytelling (2024) I describe waiting as an active period required within the preparation phase of what I call the luck equation. For luck — the interplay between opportunity, preparation and action —to be realized, all three elements must be present.
In my line of service as a teacher, I often encounter people ready to wait before entering a competitive or limited workforce or new career, or waiting for their entrepreneurial ventures to be built. The feeling that waiting is unbearable and frustrating is common. I cannot agree more, but I am here to provide answers on how to live with "waiting" as a part of nature.
Amid our busy lives, waiting gives us a rare chance to reflect. This is the time for strengthening our minds, conditioning ourselves and restoring our energy. It is a good time to take stock of our personal assets.
To understand the opportunities and threats in our external environment, it is important to start by understanding our internal strengths and weaknesses. This introspective process helps us make strategic decisions and position ourselves to leverage our strengths while addressing our weaknesses.
Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social capital and John RP French and Bertram Raven's power dynamics can help us understand the starting position at the time of waiting. Bourdieu’s theory involves assessing and strengthening various forms of capital—social, cultural, economic and symbolic. Evaluating these forms helps us understand their qualities and quantity, preparing us mentally and emotionally for future challenges.
Meanwhile, understanding one's power base using French and Raven's power dynamics (legitimate, reward, coercive, expert and referent power) is essential. By assessing these powers, one ensures that they are not merely waiting for luck but creating the conditions necessary for future success. This strategic introspection turns waiting into an active period of mental and emotional fortification.
