Lately, I have been experimenting with productivity strategies as well as two different schools of thought: going fast and going slow. I have read various self-help books and productivity tips about both methods, and I believe that the best way to approach these ideas is to balance them. Going quickly all the time leads to burnout, while taking one’s time can result in procrastination and laziness. Therefore, I split my mind into two separate modes to help me regulate my life and decide what course of action to take in any given situation.
My default mode is the “go slow” mode, which is the most widely accepted school of thought in self-help. Many gurus recommend taking your time, enjoying everything you do, and soaking up every little detail. I have provided a few self-help related blog posts below that cover this topic:
- Managing Time Effectively
- Go Slow To Go Fast
- Sustainable Living – Take your time
As you can see, many people believe that going slow has several benefits, including getting more done in a short period of time. I am with this school of thought 90% of the time. I try to take my time, enjoy what I am doing, and generally have fun, even when I am working on websites or programming. This approach makes me get stuff done faster, helps me plan better, and keeps my mind clear to allow me to work a little longer.
However, there are times when you need to go fast and get things done more quickly. My “go fast” mode is the secondary mode, which kicks in when I encounter situations where it would be more beneficial. For example, if I am doing something that is going to take the same amount of time regardless, such as washing dishes, I go into secondary mode to get it done quickly and move on to something else. Another example is walking at a brisk pace, which can help regulate blood flow, keep you awake, and make you look good on the job. You don’t have to run or sprint, just maintain a steady, even stride.
In summary, balance is the key to success in both going fast and going slow. Certain situations call for one approach or the other, and being able to switch between modes will help you regulate your life and decide what course of action to take in any given situation.
For more helpful tips on self-improvement and productivity, check out my archived blog posts. I may write more blog posts about productivity strategies in time as well.
Here’s a random blog post about slowing down.