One Simple Hack to Be More Patient with Your Family

Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

We’ve all been there, whether for a moment or for an extended period. Stressed, more tasks than can possibly be completed, and things just aren’t clicking. The tension is about to boil over. The last place you want to lose your patience is at home with your family, but we’ve all had that happen.

I discovered a simple hack which has been helping me. Time travel!

Let me explain. What has really helped me in moments of tension is gaining a new perspective on the moment. Realizing that each moment is precious and that my time with my family is a gift is what really changes the moment. That new perspective lives in the future and you can travel forward in time to get it.

Here’s how I do it:

First, think of a time in the future when you will miss your family. I use the visual of my children moving away to college. I have two young children with a third on the way. Thinking of the day they will move away immediately changes my perspective. I take a few seconds to feel that moment. How will it feel when I hug them and say goodbye? How will it feel when they drive away? Will I wish for more time in that moment? Essentially, you travel forward in time to the day you will miss your children and it helps you appreciate the gift of time you have with them today. It’s puts the tough moments into perspective quickly.

Once you feel that future moment and your perspective begins to change, travel back in time to your current moment. Hopefully you can now more clearly see the gift this moment with your family. How will you use it? I guarantee you’ll be more patient, and you’ll very likely have more fun!

Try this pro hack to make your time travel easier, quicker, and more effective:

Create future scenarios for each member of your family. Do this when you have some time alone to focus. Create each scenario in you mind and visualize the details for each member of your family. Now that you have future scenario for each family member, visualize the scenarios in as much detail as you can, as frequently as you can. Use your senses. How does it feel? Is it day or night? Where are you? What do you say to one another? Include personal details that will help it stick in your mind. The more you visualize these detailed scenarios, the quicker you’ll be able to access them. Eventually, you’ll be able to access them in the tough moments when your patience is thin. You’ll be able to travel to the future, then back to the present moment in a matter of seconds. In those few seconds you’ll gain a perspective which you’ll bring back to the present moment and use to enjoy your time with your family.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you try it, I’d love to hear if it works for you.