Can You Slow Down?

Move with purpose, passion, preparation, patience, persistence and fun

A question - do you think driving faster, eating faster, walking faster, working faster etc. or doing anything faster gives you one more minute of life?  Do you think it really adds value to the quality of your life?  If your answer is - yes to either question - don't bother taking the time to finish reading this article cause it will be a waste of your time (since you are in a hurry).
 

 
Everywhere I go or am I see people who just can't do everything fast enough and it amazes me that they all think this life approach is working or shall I say giving them more time to do other stuff in a hurry or to get somewhere else in a hurry or to - whatever - in a hurry. Get my drift?
 
Now, don't get me wrong I am all for - efficiency, planning, working hard, working smart, playing - you name it and I'm for it. But one thing I have learned traveling the world for over 35 years, no matter how fast you want to get there you can't rush the traffic in front of you.  No matter how much of a hurry you are in, you can't speed up the delivery of your meal in a restaurant.  No matter how fast you want to get out of the hospital you have to wait till they tell you - it's ok to leave. No matter how important your meeting is 500 miles away - you can't tell the pilot to speed up.  Still with me or are you just disagreeing with everything cause you think I am lazy, naïve or maybe even stupid?
 
OK, how about getting someone to respond to your email, text or telephone message because they need to live according to your time-frame and not theirs? Had enough of my examples yet - cause I could go on for pages if you want me too.
 
My point, and then I'll let you get to your next "rush in a hurry" activity, project, decision etc.
 
Yes, rushing might help you get more done, but I have learned when I don't rush what gets done - it gets done better.  I have learned that when I don't let other people's need for me to be in a hurry or to assume that I should be in a hurry cause they want or need me to be, I keep control of my stress, my behavior, my results and yes, in the end, my health. I'm just curious - do you know the number one contributor to stress? It's impatience and/or the need for control.  Know the number one contributor to illness, disease, and death? It's stress. Get the connection?
 
So, when I create an activity or an effective "project" pace - whether it's writing an article, writing a book, packing for a trip out of town or preparing for my next keynote that permits me to make the most of the time I have for this project - it always ends better than if I had rushed it. Ever rushed getting ready for a trip and then discovered - too late -you forgot something important?
 
Years ago, when getting ready to speak for a large audience I discovered I forgot to pack my dress shoes so here I am in a sport coat, dress pants, and sandals. Ever experienced anything like this?
 
My other point is simply that rushing usually (not always) in the end is a waste of time as you now have to fix something, change something, apologize for something or do something all over again.
 
So, I don't waste any more of your time, consider - slowing down and moving with purpose, passion, preparation, patience, persistence and yes, even more fun.

   

Author Bio

Tim Connor is a global speaker, trainer and bestselling author (over 80 books).During his career. Tim has helped millions of people and hundreds of organizations around the world improve their sales, management and leadership effectiveness, employee performance and life success. Connect Tim Connor Follow @TimCSP