When you're rushed, it is easy to make mistakes. But when you take your time and pay attention to detail, you are much more likely to produce quality work. Going slowly allows you to lay down a solid foundation and get yourself right every step of the way, so that when you reach your goal it is absolutely correct and error-free.
Rushing headlong into battle without a proper gameplan can be disastrous. By going slow and taking time to plan, you'll be able to foresee problems before they arise instead of encountering them along the way. How many companies have rushed products to market that, with the benefit of hindsight, wished they had gone more methodically and planned a little better?
When we feel like we have to hurry, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. But when we take our time, we give our bodies a chance to relax and rejuvenate. No one who rushes, suffers multiple burnouts, and finally crashes looks back at their hectic schedule and is glad they did it. Instead, adding self-care and stress-relieving activities such as exercise, meditation, and frequent breaks is a much healthier game plan for productivity.
By taking things slowly at first and building strong relationships, you are more likely to achieve your goals and create a productive working environment. Those who are constantly on the go have less time to create real relationships, and are more likely to see others as a means to their own hurried end. Slowing down allows us to get to know those we interact with, build lasting relationships, and find win-win scenarios.
Part of the benefit of getting to know the people you work with is having the opportunity to notice, identify, and tap into their innate abilities, strengths, and preferences. I call this tapping into their “Inner Genius Archetype,” and in order to do so, slowing down is essential. In meetings, deliberately listening to what sparks others’ attention, as well as the words they use and focus they have while communicating allows you to identify and tap into their Archetype, giving you the ability to create better rapport, inspire higher levels of creativity, and get the best out of both them and yourself.
Global business educator and author
Catherine Mattiske
is the founder of TPC - The Performance Company, a leading training and
consulting organization that has worked with Fortune 100 companies
worldwide. Established in 1994, TPC has offices in Sydney, Los Angeles,
New York, London, Singapore, and Basel (Switzerland). The author of more
than 30 books, her latest is "Unlock Inner Genius: Power Your Path to
Extraordinary Success" (September 2021). Discover more about your Inner
Genius at
thegeniusquotient.com.
