“How soon can you do that for me?" you ask the guy who is fixing your dropped-down-the-loo mobile. "Next Tuesday would be perfect, but failing that, how ‘bout right now?"

We are living in the age of instant gratification, and though as a species we've never been good at waiting (even the time-honoured British queue insists it is on the guest list), it seems to be getting worse as technology makes everything faster, in theory.

Because technology, like us, is fallible. Hands up all those who've grumbled at the "Unexpected item in bagging area," "What's so friggin’ unexpected about cornflakes, you imbecile?" before impatiently trying to flag down a shop assistant? Or grumbled at their computer for not booting up quickly enough, as if it would say, "Sorry, I'm booting as fast as I can, and to make up for that lost two seconds, I'll write that report for you."

Wanting to lose half a stone in five days just might sell some magazines (which you will contemplate eating) but no doubt you will put it all on again. We have phone apps to tell us when the bus is coming (so you don't have to wait), same day deliveries (at a premium cost), high speed downloading and countless other faster commodities pandering and profiting from our need to have it NOW.

But it comes at a cost to that part of the brain that works on long term goals, which take time, effort, and a willingness to accept delayed gratification. If you'd rather bite your own head off than listen to another round of Vivaldi's Four Seasons while waiting for the next available agent, you know you've crossed the line between instant gratification and downright bad temper.

As the American comedian Stephen Wright observed, "I got a pack of dehydrated water, but didn't know what to add..." How about some patience?

Many clients claim to desiring instant mastery or bust. But show me the person who can pick up a violin and get a tune out of it from day one and I will show you a freak of nature.

So here are a few coaching tips on developing patience and tenacity when contemplating a life less ordinary and goals worth reaching for:

  • It’s a cliché but it’s the journey as much as the destination and getting to “Z” without going through all the usual steps is going to leave you clueless and ill prepared for sustainable success.
  • Get there are no guarantees, but intention plus action will eventually lead to where you want to get to.
  • Nothing worth anything doesn’t happen instantly or overnight or we’d all been best-selling authors, super athletes and concert pianist – commit to the long haul.
  • Tenacity and resilience often count for more than raw talent.
  • Revisit your goal and be sure you really want it – it must be compelling and so delicious it’s worth the slog.
  • Be realistic when planning how long it will take then double it.
  • Fortify yourself for the journey and decide to not struggle and commit to having fun with it.
  • The courage to reach for your dreams = no regrets.

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