We live in a world that rewards speed. Hustle harder. Move faster. Respond immediately. Scale yesterday.
And yet, as Lily Tomlin so perfectly put it:
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”
Counterintuitive? Maybe. But if you take a hard look at the chaos in your business—or even in your personal life—you might realize that your constant rushing isn’t actually getting you ahead. In fact, it might be the very thing holding you back.
Speed vs. Progress
There’s a difference between moving fast and making progress. When you’re operating at full speed all the time, everything becomes urgent. You’re reacting instead of responding, scrambling instead of strategizing.
Think about it—how many times have you:
- Fired off a quick response, only to have to backpedal later?
- Made a rushed decision, only to realize you didn’t have all the facts?
- Skimmed through an important conversation, missing key details that would have saved you hours down the road?
Speed for speed’s sake often leads to sloppy execution, avoidable mistakes, and unnecessary stress.
Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. It means being intentional. It means stepping back long enough to make sure you’re actually moving in the right direction instead of just running on autopilot.
How You Show Up Here is How You Show Up Everywhere
The way you operate in business mirrors the way you operate in life. If you’re constantly rushing in your work—always feeling behind, reactive, and stretched thin—there’s a good chance that same energy is spilling over into your personal life.
Are you:
- So focused on work that your personal relationships get whatever is left over?
- Always feeling like you’re sprinting from one thing to the next, never fully present?
- Jumping into decisions without giving yourself space to think?
This isn’t just about business efficiency—it’s about how you show up everywhere. Your family, your friendships, your health, your mindset.
What would happen if you slowed down long enough to be fully present in a conversation?
What if you took time to think before reacting?
What if you gave yourself space to make decisions that actually serve you instead of just checking a box?
Slowing Down is a Strategy
Slowing down isn’t about losing momentum—it’s about gaining clarity.
- When you pause before reacting, you respond with intention.
- When you slow down and reflect, you make smarter decisions.
- When you stop sprinting just for the sake of movement, you actually create space for growth.
This week, I challenge you to pick one area of your life where you’re rushing unnecessarily—whether it’s how you handle business decisions, how you communicate, or how you show up for the people in your life.
And then, just for a moment, try slowing down. Because sometimes, the fastest way forward isn’t to push harder—it’s to take a breath and let clarity catch up.
