Take your time

To help us get to know each other at freshman orientation, they asked us what animal we would be. I said a squirrel. Not a very noble or impressive choice, but apt because I always moved fast. Twenty-four (!) years later, I've learned to slow down a bit. The pull of productivity still looms large, however, and I have to remind myself that taking my time actually helps me accomplish more. How is that possible?

It's possible because when I take my time, I make fewer mistakes. When I take my time, I breathe more fully and can see more clearly. When I take my time, I realize I have more time than I think, because most tasks don't really take that long if I do only one thing at a time. When I take my time, I feel good about the first accomplishment and then that sets me up to accomplish something else. When I take my time, I enjoy what I'm doing, and that makes me happier and more productive.

Overwhelmed by your to-do list? Racing too often? Feeling blue? Making too many mistakes?

Take your time.

Photo by Krzysztof Niewolny on Unsplash