Slow down now blog

6 Responses to “Slow Down Now in the news”

1. Beth // Nov 15, 2007 at 7:43 pm

   Slowing down… maybe more of a state of mind… a peaceful determination that the only things that need to be rushed are the things that need to be rushed… like whipping cream… it takes a bit of speed to get that done right. But so many things can be done with focused, deliberate moderation of pace. No hurry required. The other day I was at the grocery store and I had forgotten my shopping list. I called my hubby at home to ask him to read the list over the phone. He couldn’t read my writing at all. Today I noticed that if I write just a little slower, it’s legible. And if I take my time while unloading the dishwasher, nothing gets broken. And if I shut off the TV and the radio and let silence prevail, intentional slowness seems that much easier…

2. Slow Phillip // Nov 16, 2007 at 7:34 pm

   “Slowing down” sometimes gets mistaken for “getting less done” - which is as fallacious as it is unwise. Rushing into things, like Beth illustrated, is a good way to do a bad job and cost yourself in the long run. Careful planning, meticulous work, and thoughtful review not only get a job done, but they get them done right with little time wasted.

   Not to say there aren’t situations where speed is preferable to quality, but I find that these are less the case.

3. Christopher // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:36 pm

   Beth,

   Yes all things can’t be done slowly. I just demonstrated that to myself by trying to blink slowly. Don’t try this at home. It’s only for advanced practitioners: more advanced than I am. I can’t blink slowly.

   Yours is a funny story. Handwriting is a wonderful slow topic.

   My own handwriting was abominable until I started writing with a pencil on a regular basis. I noticed how the quality of my handwriting changes depending on my mood. When relaxed it starts to look quite elegant.

   Before we all learned to type, handwriting was how we communicated the written word. It had to be legible. That was unless you were a doctor. I think doctors had to go to the Lousy School of Handwriting for a Certificate of Sloppiness before they would be allowed into medical school.

   All my family had an elegant hand, but not me. This sort of thing comes from paying attention, (yes, slowing down) and making handwriting a priority. In France, I believe companies hire graphologists to analyze the handwriting of would-be employees. I think there is much to this.

   One reason my handwriting was pure arachnidoscrawl, was that I was a lousy speller. Its ironic that I overcame this orthographicitis to write for a living. I often couldn’t read my own writing. It trailed of into what I like to call an artistic gesture. Who was I kidding! I now like to practice writing with a pencil. I’ve never found a pen that I get along with.

   Slow Phillip,

   Yes, getting fewer things done could cause you problems. I suppose not bothering to put your pants on before leaving the house would be one of them. You are right. There are things that must get done. There are things that you would like to get done. And there are things you can only wish someone else would get done for you.

   Einstein said that things should be as simple as possible but no simpler. I think we should modify his wise words to things should be as slow as possible but no slower. Or, Do few things as necessary, but no fewer.

   I’ve been in the workplace where the unwritten rule was, “Any excuse to panic.” Wouldn’t it be great if it were, “Haste makes waste.”

   Thanks for the comments.

4. Paul of Congleton // Nov 19, 2007 at 4:22 am

   There is a saying which I think is very relevant here. I read it in a gardening book (and isn’t gardening one of the finest Slow activities?), which in turn was quoting an old carpenter the author had met. I’ve since heard other variants of it elsewhere.

   “Think a job through thrice, measure it up twice, and you’ll only have to do it once.”

   I think you can apply this (albeit metaphorically) to just about any job you care to mention.

5. Christopher // Nov 20, 2007 at 9:12 am

   Paul,

   I agree about gardening. Yes, consideration, reflection, and not rushing to judgment are slow ways. I like your title, Paul of Cogleton. It’s quite medieval.

   I took a look at your pictures. Nice work!

6. Dan/Peps // Nov 30, 2007 at 12:55 pm

   Unfortunately the article disappeared from that website before I (slowly) got around to looking at this post… but judging by the above comments, I think I get the general gist!

   Speaking for myself, slowing down always helps “at work” – by which I mean to say “in the office where I earn my monthly wage”… For one thing, I have learnt during my years in various offices that going too fast, getting too much done, only means you are rewarded with even more Stuff To Do. I used to be (believe it or not) what one may call a “hard worker” – in the mistaken belief that this was a Good Thing To Be; almost a virtuous thing. Well no more! In a very generalistic sense, I have come to realise that working hard is hardly ever appreciated and rewarded with things one actually wants – such as free afternoons off! I now make sure I always have plenty of spare time/energy, which can, if necessary, be filled during those times when one needs to “get a spurt on”…