The Ever-Changing Speed of Our Ever-Changing
World: How Can We Find Calm Clarity?
Written By: Lisa A. Barrett, M.S., LPC, ATR, Author, Speaker, Coach, Artist
Blog #2: June 21, 2026
Our world today is all about speed. There are many positive aspects to living in such a fast-paced
society. Information is available at our fingertips, helping us make decisions quickly—from finding the
best route to our destination to locating the nearest gas station or restaurant. We can seek answers to
almost anything by simply asking artificial intelligence. We can respond to emails, text messages, social
media posts, Zoom calls, FaceTime conversations, and online chats within seconds.
How wonderful it all is—or is it?
Consequently, our tolerance for waiting has diminished dramatically. Research indicates that in digital
environments, half of users abandon content after only ten seconds of waiting. In a culture of
immediacy, waiting has become uncomfortable, uncertainty often feels intolerable, and our nervous
systems increasingly operate in states of urgency.
Researchers have concluded that impatience is not simply a personality trait. Rather, it is an emotional
response triggered by perceived inefficiency and a loss of control. A 2025 study from the University of
California, Riverside, involving approximately 1,200 participants, found that people become impatient
when delays are perceived as:
• Unfair
• Unreasonable
• Unnecessary
• Unpredictable
Patience vs. Impatience
Impatience is our reaction when things do not go as planned. The internet is delayed, traffic comes to a
standstill, our order takes longer than expected, a meeting runs late, or something we assumed would be
easy suddenly requires a learning curve. These situations are often interpreted as unfair, unreasonable,
unnecessary, or unpredictable. Impatience then becomes the emotional state that accompanies these
perceptions. Unfortunately, the same impatience often keeps us recycling similar feelings in different
situations and at different times. You cannot solve a problem from the mindset that created the problem.
Patience, on the other hand, is the ability to remain calm, regulated, and intentional. Perhaps the
question is no longer, "How fast is the world moving?" but rather, "How do we find Calm Clarity within
its ever-changing speed?"
In my book, How to Live an Empowered Life: Easy and Practical Daily Tools, I coined the phrase the
Neutral Zone®, which is where Calm Clarity® begins. The Neutral Zone® is neither good nor bad,
it simply is. By definition, neutral means impartial, balanced, and unbiased. When we learn to access
this state, we create space between ourselves and our emotional reactions. This allows us to respond
with greater wisdom, clarity, and empowerment. An important truth about shifting into your Neutral Zone®
is that it contains no emotionality; therefore, it cannot be argued with.
One simple tool from the Neutral Zone® that can be applied to our fast-paced world is the use of
non-emotional statements. One of my favorites, which I discuss in my book, is: "Isn't that interesting?"
Then gently ask yourself:
• Can I do anything about this?
• Am I able to find a solution right now?
• Can I seek assistance?
• Can I take a short break and revisit this later?
• Is it really an emergency if I do not respond immediately?
• How important is it to me to be upset?
• Do I have any control over this situation?
Let's also briefly discuss the reality of multitasking in our fast-paced world.
Research suggests that people now sustain attention on a task for only about forty seconds before
shifting their focus. Each time we switch tasks, the brain experiences a disconnect and requires
additional time to fully refocus on the original task. This can decrease performance, efficiency, and
effectiveness.
Imagine the implications of dividing forty seconds of attention among two or three tasks simultaneously.
Is it any wonder that stress levels continue to rise and increasingly affect our nervous systems?
Now imagine if more people operated from a place of Calm Clarity®. In this state, we are often more
focused, productive, and capable of experiencing a greater sense of accomplishment and ease.
How might that change our relationships, careers, communication, leadership, and overall well-being?
"The world may continue to accelerate, but our ability to pause, tolerate uncertainty, and intentionally
respond rather than react may be one of the most essential professional and personal skills of our time.
"I am available for coaching and speaking engagements focused on empowerment, Calm Clarity®,
emotional regulation, communication, and personal and professional growth.
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@CalmClarity-LisaBarrett
Website:
https://www.touchedbyart.net/
Email:
touchedbyart@yahoo.com
References
American Psychological Association. (2024). Why attention is hard to sustain. Monitor on Psychology.
University of California, Riverside. (2025). Stripping the virtue from patience: Understanding why
people become impatient.
Medical Xpress. (2025). Survey identifies stress, sleep deprivation, and digital overload as major
contributors to declining attention spans.
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