Sounds like Cal Newport's soon-to-be-released book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, will be right up your street, Chris. I have it on my pre-pub Amazon list and am looking forward to Cal's take on the topic. I love Billy Joel's wise words from way back when on his song, Vienna: "Slow down you crazy child; you're so ambitious for a juvenile - but then if you're so smart then tell me why are you still so afraid?"
Being the type who leaps off the diving board assuming the water will be there, I agree on slowing down. (Or at least eyeballing the pool first.) Wise words, my friend. xo
I love this and I agree 100%. I've been finding myself experiencing slow living since June 2023, when I made several big life changes. And to my own surprise, slow living - like I was given the opportunity to do so - was the best thing that happened to me. I've always tried to live my life calmly, even when my nervous system has been used to live in rush/survival mode. And now that I'm learning to live both more calmly, I'm just amazed and grateful to this whole new slow living that I'm embracing now. Most people around me don't get it, but it doesn't matter anymore if they see me like the weird one. It's an absolute game changer! I'm glad you brought it up, as I'm touching this topic from my personal experience in my next newsletter. Thanks for this! 🎊
So much truth. One of the things lockdown gave me was it forced me to slow down. Not being able to go almost anywhere meant I had very little to do when I was off work so I felt like I had all this free time. As a result, I stopped rushing through everything in my day as a means to an end and actually stopped to enjoy things. I've slipped back into old habits lately, but I try to take myself back to that time as a reminder (cause I still work from home and still have quite a bit of free time). I know whenever I'm frantic, rushing and trying to do too much at work is when I'll mess up or forget to do something so everything you said here was spot on.
You won’t be surprised to hear that this one resonated deeply! One of the biggest reasons I find myself rushing is because I’ve overcommitted myself...a habit I’m trying to pump the brakes on. (It’s hard!)
And FWIW, I think I first read the Navy SEALs motto reference in “The Practice of Groundedness,” another reason it’s required reading for you 🤗
Thanks Zan! I'll check out your piece. To answer your question, I think it depends. I can see going super slow to master a skill or as a form of meditation. I don't know what the upper limit would be where it becomes too much. I haven't actually thought about it. What do you think?
That's exactly it - it's meditative. I actually don't think there needs to be an upper limit - especially in times of crisis, when direction is more important than speed. I suppose whatever speed makes it meditative is the right speed
This is something I definitely need to practice! There are days when I multi-task like a fiend, and those days are really stressful and tiring. And when I decide to focus on one thing at a time and take it slow, even really busy days don’t feel stressful.
As someone who is struggling with swallowing hugely, I can relate to having to slow down. Although when a simple meal can take up to an hour to eat it can be annoying and frustrating. I have been advised to think about getting a food pipe into my stomach, it is a massive decision and I am fairly nervous about making it.
My mother was having the same issue several years ago and ended up with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. This isn’t something doctors typically consider, so I thought I would mention it.
Chris, your post really hit home for me. I can totally relate to the struggle of trying to juggle multiple tasks at once and the realization that slowing down can make a significant impact on our well-being. I love the practical tips you shared, especially the idea of setting an alarm or using a prompt to remind ourselves to slow down. The concept of 'Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.' is profound and something I'll definitely keep in mind. It's a refreshing perspective in a world that often glorifies speed over everything else. Keep up the great work!
I've recently discovered if your commitment is to being present, then there will come a time when being present becomes your natural state. The present moment becomes your home. You will have short excursions into the world of the mind, but you never go so far into the mind that you get lost there.
Sounds like Cal Newport's soon-to-be-released book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, will be right up your street, Chris. I have it on my pre-pub Amazon list and am looking forward to Cal's take on the topic. I love Billy Joel's wise words from way back when on his song, Vienna: "Slow down you crazy child; you're so ambitious for a juvenile - but then if you're so smart then tell me why are you still so afraid?"
I'm looking forward to reading Slow Productivity. His other books are great.
Also love that Billy Joel lyric!
Guess I'll add Cal also. He's new to me, but highly recommended by you two!
I really liked Deep Work.
For me that's been his most helpful book.
Being the type who leaps off the diving board assuming the water will be there, I agree on slowing down. (Or at least eyeballing the pool first.) Wise words, my friend. xo
Thanks!
Slow and steady wins the race. Thanks for the insightful read.
Thanks Tinashe!
I love this and I agree 100%. I've been finding myself experiencing slow living since June 2023, when I made several big life changes. And to my own surprise, slow living - like I was given the opportunity to do so - was the best thing that happened to me. I've always tried to live my life calmly, even when my nervous system has been used to live in rush/survival mode. And now that I'm learning to live both more calmly, I'm just amazed and grateful to this whole new slow living that I'm embracing now. Most people around me don't get it, but it doesn't matter anymore if they see me like the weird one. It's an absolute game changer! I'm glad you brought it up, as I'm touching this topic from my personal experience in my next newsletter. Thanks for this! 🎊
Thanks Mariana!
So much truth. One of the things lockdown gave me was it forced me to slow down. Not being able to go almost anywhere meant I had very little to do when I was off work so I felt like I had all this free time. As a result, I stopped rushing through everything in my day as a means to an end and actually stopped to enjoy things. I've slipped back into old habits lately, but I try to take myself back to that time as a reminder (cause I still work from home and still have quite a bit of free time). I know whenever I'm frantic, rushing and trying to do too much at work is when I'll mess up or forget to do something so everything you said here was spot on.
Thanks Jackie!
You won’t be surprised to hear that this one resonated deeply! One of the biggest reasons I find myself rushing is because I’ve overcommitted myself...a habit I’m trying to pump the brakes on. (It’s hard!)
And FWIW, I think I first read the Navy SEALs motto reference in “The Practice of Groundedness,” another reason it’s required reading for you 🤗
Ohhh I need to read that after Master of Change.
Great read, Chris! Slowing down in a fast-paced world is definitely a valuable lesson - I actually wrote about it here too: https://zantafakari.substack.com/p/build-rituals-not-habits.
My question is, do you think there's such a thing as too slow?
Thanks Zan! I'll check out your piece. To answer your question, I think it depends. I can see going super slow to master a skill or as a form of meditation. I don't know what the upper limit would be where it becomes too much. I haven't actually thought about it. What do you think?
That's exactly it - it's meditative. I actually don't think there needs to be an upper limit - especially in times of crisis, when direction is more important than speed. I suppose whatever speed makes it meditative is the right speed
Thanks for sharing!!!
Yeah, when I try to do too much too fast, it basically falls apart anyway.
agreed!
This is something I definitely need to practice! There are days when I multi-task like a fiend, and those days are really stressful and tiring. And when I decide to focus on one thing at a time and take it slow, even really busy days don’t feel stressful.
I am the same way! And for some reason even after having those nice slow days, I wake up the next day and forget everything I've learned.
Ha! Same!!
As someone who is struggling with swallowing hugely, I can relate to having to slow down. Although when a simple meal can take up to an hour to eat it can be annoying and frustrating. I have been advised to think about getting a food pipe into my stomach, it is a massive decision and I am fairly nervous about making it.
I'm sorry to hear that - I know that is a big step. I hope it works out for the best.
My mother was having the same issue several years ago and ended up with a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. This isn’t something doctors typically consider, so I thought I would mention it.
Thanks for sharing, Marianna. I appreciate it!
Chris, your post really hit home for me. I can totally relate to the struggle of trying to juggle multiple tasks at once and the realization that slowing down can make a significant impact on our well-being. I love the practical tips you shared, especially the idea of setting an alarm or using a prompt to remind ourselves to slow down. The concept of 'Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.' is profound and something I'll definitely keep in mind. It's a refreshing perspective in a world that often glorifies speed over everything else. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Winston! I appreciate it.
I've recently discovered if your commitment is to being present, then there will come a time when being present becomes your natural state. The present moment becomes your home. You will have short excursions into the world of the mind, but you never go so far into the mind that you get lost there.
Great piece Chris.
Thanks Pách! I agree - the present moment really is a great place to be. I like how you put it - it really is a "home".
Thanks for the encouragement. All the best.