Slow Down: Practice the Art of Balanced, Intentional and Mindful Living

It’s a time of disruption and of questioning old systems and norms. We are all in the midst of sorting out what will serve us best as we move further into this next era of our shared human experience. One of the norms I support disrupting is the cult of busy-ness and multi-tasking. It’s a norm that I believe is at the heart of disconnection, disease, and the loss of much creativity and unique expression of our humanity.

I’m not original in wanting us to live and work in a different way. Do you remember the Slow Food movement? In a protest against fast food, Italian activist Carlo Petrini founded this philosophy in 1986, and it is now a part of the counter-cultural movement of slower living. The idea of this now global, social movement seeks to preserve local traditions, advocate for fair, clean food, promote local foods, foster sustainability and celebrate the pleasure and joy that food brings us.

“Being Slow means that you control the rhythms of your own life. You decide how fast you have to go in any context. If today I want to go fast, I go fast. If tomorrow I want to go slow, I go slow. What we are fighting for is the right to determine our own tempos.” ~ Carlo Petrini ~

The Concept of Slow Living

How is the concept of slow living relevant for you and advancing in your career? Like the slow food movement, the concept of slow living or simple living embraces the idea of a more balanced, intentional, mindful and slower approach to everyday life. For more and more of us, we are deeply craving the benefits of slow living. At the heart of it, slow living is about getting in touch with your own rhythm, quite literally slowing down and being more present in each moment. The movement has been around for centuries in a variety of cultures. In recent years it has become increasingly popular and more prevalent amongst younger generations.

“Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.” ~ Leo Babauta ~

Practicing the Art of Slow Working

I invite you to think about how you can adopt this slow living mindset in the workplace. Consider how you can use this philosophy to work smarter, not harder. For you as a leader, as well as for your employees, we can all benefit from the practice of slow working.

Greg McKeown, author of?Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, said “Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate at our highest point of contribution by doing only what is essential.”

Listed below are some ideas to help you implement the concept of slow work.

To put this list to use, write down the first idea that comes to mind when you read each idea. For example, when you read “work smarter not longer”, what comes to mind? Try that to experiment with a way of slow working.

1. Work smarter not longer
2. Busy does not mean better
3. Get intentional with your priorities
4. Cultivate and practice daily mindfulness
5. Reduce multi-tasking and busy work
6. Disconnect from technology and take short breaks
7. Take time to celebrate milestones and wins
8. Prioritize self-care and wellbeing
9. Practice a slow-down ritual at the end of each day
10. Use your vacation days

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“Slowing down isn’t about protesting work. It’s instead about finding a better way to do it.” ~ Cal Newport ~

“Slowvember”

A few years ago, Skincare brand Deciem started the “Slowvember” campaign in protest of Black Friday high-pressure sales and to encourage shoppers to take a more mindful approach to their shopping.? Why not slow down this November? Do things differently both personally and professionally. Embrace a slower rhythm and daily slow-living rituals. Live seasonally and embrace what is currently happening in nature. Get in rhythm with the natural world.? As the winter holiday season approaches in the USA, it is so easy to get caught up and swept away in this busy time of year. Instead, I encourage you to practice implementing one or more of the following to help you slow down, get intentional, and simplify. You’ll then discover the positive ripple effect beyond work into your broader life.

1. Conscious consumerism
2. Seasonal living
3. Daily mindfulness
4. Work smarter not harder
5. Be intentional with your time
6. Let your values guide your decisions
7. Less is more
8. Put down your phone
9. Get out in nature
10. Create daily slow-living rituals

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu ~

Seek Slow! Whether we call it slow food, slow living, slow work, or “Slowvember,” the invitation is basically the same: to experiment with a slower, more intentional, and mindful approach to all aspects of your everyday life. These philosophies advocate for a slower rhythm, a reduction in our fast-paced way of living. I encourage you to literally slow down this month and practice embracing a simpler, more balanced approach to life. And notice how this benefits you in your work and in your career.

In partnership as you rise,

Erin

Erin Owen, MBA, MCC (she/her/hers)

Executive and Leadership Coach

Website: https://erinowen.com

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/erinowen/