Mr Harrington, the headmaster of my primary school used to utter this to the chaotic mass of pupils dashing along the corridors. Back then, I’m not sure I knew what he meant, but it made us slow down.
A couple of years ago I bought an indoor rowing machine which includes on-screen coaching. There’s a repetitive motto I’ve picked up from this:
“Learn slow, to go fast” – which is all about focusing on improving your form / technique.
I remember back in the days when I belonged to a gym. I was working with a PT on weight reps, and he explained to me that slower more deliberate repetitions bring results faster.
I recently read a book by Nancy Kline, who pioneered “The Thinking Environment”. In it, she demonstrates how urgency kills our ability to think clearly.
Reflecting on the message in all of the above made me think about my own life. So much of it has been spent “at pace”, rushing things, cramming things in, multi-tasking, always trying to “cheat” time (which of course is impossible). And I see this around me in friends and family, and with coaching clients.
It makes me realise that there are times when slowing down can actually bring results faster.
A few examples that spring to mind are:
Thinking and decision-making.
Learning something new.
Simple enjoyment of the Present.
Improving technique
Regaining control of our emotions.
Reducing anxiety.
Living life today, not tomorrow.
Building and nurturing relationships.
Feeling gratitude.
What would you add to this list?
Do you take time to slow down at times, and what is the effect?
#timetothink, #thethinkingenvironment, #learnslowtogofast #hydrow, #lifeoaching, #adriansummertoncoaching
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