Why speed doesn't mean efficiency

Until Covid-19 hit, I was not a slow person at all. Honestly, I was the opposite. My life, could be summed up in one word: fast. I got my work done fast. I moved fast, spoke fast, exercised fast, and I even ate fast. To be honest, I was quite proud of how speedy I was at everything. I mistook speed for brilliant efficiency.

So much of our lives, from food, to fashion, to travel, has been designed for us to go fast. No wonder it is so hard to slow down.

And then the pandemic hit.

Covid-19 has had a dire effect on our lives and economies in so many ways, however, the one benefit it has brought to some of us is to escape the tyranny of speed. (An option I realise is a privilege in itself.) Time has been transformed.

My big realization has been how much I undervalued the process of slow.

Slow is a necessity:

●?????Slow allows us to think in unstructured, unconventional ways.

●?????Slow allows us to enjoy the steps in the process, not just the end goals.

●?????Slow allows us to be less reactive and more proactive.

●?????Slow allows us to really be there for each other.

●?????Slow allows deep, trusting relationships to form.

Research shows that slowing down can help us to be more creative

Adam Grant’s wonderful book Originals shows that one of the key traits of people who come up with great new ideas is they are often quick to start but slow to finish. It took Leonardo da Vinci 16 years to paint the Mona Lisa!?

In a study conducted on classical pianists, when they had entered a “flow” state , fully immersed in what they were doing, they exhibited deepened breathing and slowed heart rates. They played better.

I was listening to Lidewij Edelkoort interviewed for the Time-Sensitive podcast. She had a brilliant idea:

“If you would give everything you do a few minutes more, it would change your life, possibly.”

●?????A few minutes more writing a thoughtful email.

●?????A few minutes more genuinely listening to your kids or partner.

●?????A few minutes more eating lunch.

●?????A few minutes more doing something you love.

So here's my - and, maybe, your - sole resolution for 2021: to try to stay off the speed hook.

A tip for this week...

Let’s spend less time putting fast on a pedestal.

Focus on slowing down your processes, and embrace the positive impact it can have on your life.

Here’s to a healthy and fulfilling 2021,

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