Slow is the new fast
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For some reason it seems to me that we’re fascinated with speed. Fast cars are considered better than slow cars. Fast runners are better than slow ones. Quick thinkers are valued over slower ones. Workers who get more done in less time get promoted.
And then they are given even more work to do.
Slow in the other hand seems to be something that only old people do.
Slow seems to be the enemy of progress.
But is it really so bad? What’s the worst thing that could happen if we just slowed down a bit every once in a while?
“Slow but steady wins the race” - Aesop
“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast” - W. Shakespeare
Slow down.
- Slow down to think about what you’re doing.
- Slow down to figure out if you are actually working on the right problem
- Slow down to analyze your working habits
- Slow down to relax
- Slow down to be more creative
- Slow down to make sure you don’t miss the important crossroads
- Slow down to read the signs
- Slow down to keep your employees happy
- Slow down to keep your employees
- Slow down to enjoy the small things in life
- Slow down to learn new things
- Slow down to keep your curiosity alive
- Slow down to get to keep your friends
- Slow down to get to know your children
- Slow down to see the beauty in life
- Slow down to get to know yourself
- Slow down to hear the music on the radio
- Slow down to make sure you are building the right product
- Just slow down. Your customer has time to wait.
What do you think? Are we going too fast? Could we afford slowing down a bit? Or is fast still better than slow?
“To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first.” - W. Shakespeare
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August 21st, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Hi Jarkko,
I found your blog about 2 weeks ago and have been following it since. Keep writing, I enjoy reading your observations.
I’m happy to live in Finland where people don’t work that long days compared to other countries. I think the pace is quite slow here and I like it. This summer I met my friends who live in the U.S. and Prague and it’s quite common to spend 10 - 12 hours in the office for them.
I say, slow down and enjoy your life also when you are young. Today’s trend is to work your ass off when you are young so you have enough money to retire early. I don’t comply.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:06 pm
You words have resonated with the masses, Jarkko. Lifehack.org is running an article on slowing down titled, Advice for students: slow down and read. I can’t help but think Mr. Leddy was inspired by “the new fast”.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Fast never was really better, it just gave an illusion of enabling you to experience more.
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:17 am
Jaro: Yeah, Finland is still quite peaceful and slow compared to many other countries, I guess. But I think we can still improve on this front, and start thinking about our lives more as a whole than just hard work and some recovery time. As you said, the idea of resting when you’re retired sticks to us a bit too well…
BTW, have you noticed the advertisement at the “Finnish Bookstores” (Suomalainen Kirjakauppa) where they say that “when you rest while still young the rest doesn’t go to waste”? It’s refreshing to hear someone say that.
Brian: Hehe :) Good to hear that I’m not the only one saying this.
Lynoure: That’s a good point. You might experience more by going fast but none of the experiences will then be as deep as they could be…
But… Fast isn’t always bad: You need to slow down when it’s the time go slow and accelerate when it’s the time to go fast. It’s all about the timing.
More about that in my next post.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Jarkko, no I haven’t noticed that (I live in Finland but I’m from Slovakia; learning Finnish goes pretty slow ;)) but it surely is something you don’t hear every day, yet from companies whose aim is to sell more and more.
August 23rd, 2007 at 6:13 am
Don’t worry :) From what I’ve heard, learning Finnish usually takes some time. It’s great that you’re learning, though!
About selling, I just realized when reading your comment that actually for a book store that might be a pretty good selling point. After all, books are a pretty good means for relaxing.
August 27th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Jarkko, exactly, the advertisement suits perfectly for a bookstore. I think they had that in mind when they were creating the slogan :)
About the Finnish: yes, it takes looong time, especially in my case although I’m pretty good with languages. I have these on/off phases. Now, as winter is slowly coming, I’ll have more time to sit down with the books and give it some more time. Thanks for the encouraging words!