All too often we rush through our days checking items off our to-do lists and wearing our busyness like a badge of honour. But how often do we actually stop and think about why we are doing this? Or where the pressure to multitask with urgency is coming from?
Usually it’s from within. We fear that something bad will happen if things don’t get done. To calm that fear we work harder, and longer, and harder, and longer only to realize that there’s more to do. It never ends.
The thing is, going faster doesn’t necessarily mean we are accomplishing more, or doing things any better. In fact, in most cases, the opposite is usually true. When you slow down you are likely to think more clearly, act purposefully, focus on the task in hand, and make fewer mistakes.
Whenever you’re feeling a bit stressed or overwhelmed, take a few minutes to stop and breathe. Give yourself a break: have a stretch, take a walk, look at the sky, cook a meal, soak in a hot bath, make yourself a drink, doodle, meditate or do just do nothing. Appreciate exactly where you are right now and for being nowhere else but there. After all, it was Gandhi who said: [Tweet ““There is more to life than increasing its speed.””]
When life gets busy, how do you do to slow your pace? We’d love you to share your thoughts in the comments box to inspire others.
