Go slow
Life can be overwhelming. Too many tasks to ace. Too many commitments. Too many expectation.
Too many.
In attempts to get them done, we rush. We juggle multiple tasks at a time. We do the bare minimum.
We spread ourselves too thin.
Then we get burnt out. Exhausted. Demotivated.
What a world to live in.
There is another way. Where we will be less likely to get burnt out, exhausted, or demotivated.
It's to go slow.
Why go slow in a fast-paced world?
Going slow means you can take breaks. You can focus on one thing at a time. You can make high-quality work.
Going slow means enjoying the process of going "there". Prioritizing quality over quantity. Treasuring pain, joy, sadness, frustration, regret, and all of your emotion when you are going there.
Going slow means trying to understand. To go beneath the surface level of knowledge. To value thorough inspection.
In a world where being fast is the norm, going slow reminds you what matters.
What going slow is not?
- Going in a snail pace. It's about doing things in the right speed.
- Being lazy. It's about preserving your health while still creating value.
- Stagnant. As long as you do not stop, slow does not mean stopping. It is moving.
How to go slow?
- Procrastinate less. Small, incremental work over time is better than a big, rushed work at deadline.
- If possible, reduce non-essential commitments. Life is too short to try to do it all.
- Reduce distraction. Close your Discord, Facebook, TikTok, Youtube, etc. If it's noisy in your house, use a noise-cancelling headphone. I usually listen to Lo-fi in low volume while working, but you can go with other ambient music as well, or no music at all if the task is cognitively demanding.
- Take breaks. It's tiring to focus over a long period. Take out your headphone. Drink water. Stretch yourself. Look outside. Work can wait, but your health cannot.
Closing
It can be tough to go slow. After all, we're conditioned to this world.
But the alternative won't help you in the long run.
Hope this resonates with you.
See you.