Top Time Tip #66 In Order To Go Faster, First You Must Go Slower

15th November 2005

I was organising a regular newsletter for my publishers this morning, (they've asked to be kept up-to-date with where I'm speaking) when one of my favourite phrases 'In order to go faster, first you must go slower' popped into my mind. I realised I'd just applied it.

I'd written the newsletter and was entering the email addresses. Then, instead of just sending it off and getting on to the next task, I took a few extra minutes to create a 'Reed Publishing' group in my Outlook address book. Next time I'll be able to get all the recipients in just one click.

How many times do we hear people say 'I haven't got time to .. '? Many times that is true, but if you notice yourself repeatedly using this phrase, step back a bit and analyse what it is you're referring to.

What are you really saying? You haven't got time to teach someone else? You haven't got time to improve a regular process? You haven't got time to create a new product, or system, or new market (or whatever is relevant to your occupation)?

Wrong thinking. You can't afford NOT to take the time. If you always defer the long-term for the urgency of the short-term you will never grow, improve, and step into the next stage of your own success and the richness that life is waiting to offer you.

Every change requires a step back, a slowing down. In fact, I'd be very suspicious of the effectiveness of anyone who swings into a new task without a parallel reduction of speed. How much thinking have they done? What effort has gone into looking for the most efficient way of performing the task? Welcome each new challenge, accept that it will slow you down for a little while, and look forward to the increase in productivity and new opportunities once you've mastered it.

You'll find this tip and many others in 'About Time - 120 Tips for Those with No Time.'

All the best 'til next time
 

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