Slowing Down to Speed Up
Complexity is part of our every day. When things get overly complex, we often sacrifice quality for the sake of quantity; for the sake of getting more things done, regardless of how well we do them.
Even as I write this post, I can think of about a dozen other things I also need to do — it’s hard to slow down, especially when the goal is to accelerate the growth of my business.
Despite our high-tech world with gizmos, gadgets and apps designed to make our lives easier, these shortcuts may be doing you more harm than help.
Somewhere along the line, we’ve bought into the idea speed means we’re doing well, but once the speed starts building and building, you might find yourself spinning out of control. And, what do we do when we feel out of control? We seek even more control — a vicious cycle.
The key to getting the results and success you want, and indeed control is sloooooooowing down. Ready? Okay, take a breath and keep reading along.
Your first challenge in slowing down is to NOT SKIM through this article. Allow yourself the five or so minutes to fully read and absorb the content available to you.
Spending time on the front end (even when you don’t want to) can lead to greater clarity, efficiency and control down the line. Here’s how you can slow down, to speed up.
When a problem occurs, what is your first reaction? More likely than not, you’re thinking of the consequences; what’s going to happen next?
Instead of reacting to the symptoms of a problem, take a pause to consider the solution to the problem. Reacting, rather than solving is simply a band-aid and not a lasting one at that.
When you take the time to step away from action and decision-making, you benefit more greatly in the long-run from learning, reflection and exploration.
In a perfect world, our actions should be the result of our beliefs. But, are you practicing what your preach?
Things don’t always go according to plan that much is clear. How do you react when you’re thrown a curveball? Do you abandon ship and scramble to pick up the pieces, or do you stick to your guns?
Sticking to your course won’t always be easy — there will always be an easy way out, but are you willing to take it at the expense of your values?
Identify the beliefs and values that will steer your business in the right direction and frequently revisit them, to ensure you’re still on the right path.
If you don’t change the way you react to complexity, pressure and curveballs, you can’t expect others to do the same. As a leader, you have to be the change you wish to see; you have to lead by example.
Slow down, invite deeper dialogue within your team, peers, clients and colleagues; collaborate and share ideas; take pause together when the waters get choppy.
When you take the time to slow down, you can: