“Strike while the iron is hot!”
-Old Proverb
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”
-William Butler Yeats
This has us wondering, which one is it then? Well, it’s both! Advice isn’t one size fits all. When faced with a difficult situation, it is important to react appropriately.
The first refers to a blacksmith, who must strike metal before it cools and hardens, making him lose the opportunity to shape it. This teaches the importance of acting quickly, while favorable conditions still exist. It also alludes to the benefit of practicing patience, because you must wait long enough for the metal to get hot.
While the second quote says, to hell with patience! Make your own opportunities instead of waiting around.
From personal life decisions to career goals, you will be continually faced with tough choices throughout life. It is up to you how you react!