Know your buttons

I hate waiting for people. I'm an unusually patient person in just about every area of my life, until it comes to physically waiting for someone else to show up. It makes me crazy! I hate when I'm stuck in a holding pattern; I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I too often lean toward self sacrifice my interactions with others, but the why doesn't really matter. I can't stand waiting for people! I hate when the kids don't get out of the car when I'm already standing outside (especially when it's raining, or worse yet, cold and snowing) and I hate when someone leaves me standing on the corner waiting for them to pick me up. I do my best to talk myself down, enjoy the moment, but to I have never been successful. It's a button. A big red, do not push, caution, warning, button. I In this situation I don't have an ounce of patience. It's like the seed of the dark side gets planted and then grows at an alarming rate - definitely a genetically modified seed.  And it waits there, ready to sprout when "waiting"  pushes mY BIG RED BUTTON. 

So, what to do? ....

First off recognize and acknowledge your BIG RED BUTTONS. Own them. Get familiar, understand their triggers and nuances. Then, set clear expectations. keep the communication flowing. Warn people. I tell my kids how much I hate it when they don't get out of the car and keep me standing in the elements. For me, I let people know I won't be waiting around - at least not happily and not for any length of time. For you, depending on your button, let people know what you will and won't do in the situation - how you intend to respond in action and emotion.