A watched pot never boils
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Expectation Delays
Feeling like time slows when you're anxious for a result highlights the proverb's meaning of perceived duration. 
Waiting for her test results felt extra long because a watched pot never boils.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
Understand the phrase is not about boiling pots, but about impatience and time perception. 
Worrying about your flight time? A watched pot never boils, so relax and read a book.
Pro Tip 3/3Collocation Clues
The phrase often appears with words like 'remember' and 'as the old saying goes' to advise patience. 
As the old saying goes, a watched pot never boils, so let's not hover over our project updates.