Go Slow to Go Fast
Slow and Steady, I go slow to go fast
Today I was back on schedule. Well, sort of. I had other projects to do before I could do much on my own websites. But I tackled them, one at a time. And while I did not get much time on my own sites today, I did manage to clear some other projects which will then allow me more time on my sites tomorrow.
Life is like that, at least for me. I wear many hats. And sometimes I just need to chip away, bit by bit, one at a time.
Slow and steady.
I do get ahead of myself at times. I just want to get things done! But when I take the time to work through, I actually accomplish more.
Taking time to do things right actually takes less time than when I have to go back and redo them. In fact, some of my best posts were written in a steady, but not rushed manner.
Slow and steady. Not too slow. I need to keep a pace going. But slow enough that I don't forget anything important. And steady, rather than jumping from one project to another. (Ok, in reality, I did jump around a little, but not as much as some days!)
So today, even with my plate over-filled, I reminded myself of the following quote.
“One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think that applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren't enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress.” --Viggo Mortensen
The horse master was right. To go fast, it might be best to go slow. Doing it right the first time is often more time-efficient than needing to redo a job over and over. And the quality shows vividly, too!
Recent Comments
41
Hi Diane
I agree... As an example one of my past roles was as a live sound engineer. This meant setting up sound systems before a show. I learned fast that it was always best to go slow and methodically and then to test everything before a band soundcheck started. Some of my early attempts were less than organised and I embassingly wasted much of my own and others time diagnosing problems that I had created by rushing.
:-)
Richard
It sounds like you learned well from those experiences, Richard. Those types of lessons help us through many of life's experiences!
I agree Diane.
So long as we want to learn and are aware enough to notice the lesson.
:-)
Richard
I love your use of analogies to get your message across. The older I get, the more profound the old advice sounds. And quite often it is just perception as to how something is done. Sometimes I will watch and think that no care is taken but the other person is so involved in the task they block out any distractions around them…seemingly not caring when the opposite holds true.
I love that we all learn continually through life.. Excellent article.
Hi Diane,
I also live by this motto: do it RIGHT first time ...
However, sometimes, I do find myself having to make refinements. The first time may not be perfect ... and it may work well for me as trying to be PERFECT at all times may consume a lot of my time!
Kind regards,
Ram
Yes, I find the same to be true, Ram. But if I try to get it right the first time, the refinements go quicker, too!
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Yes! Thank you. I've been reading lately so much about how fast you need to get things done if you want to be successful. I find that I too need to just chip away and be consistent rather than rushing and feeling overwhelmed which will then lead to quiting. Thanks for the reassurance.
It sounds like you are on the right path, Theresa!