Start Slowly

Hurry up! Time is running out. You’re too late.

These are a few of the phrases I hear running through my head when I get stuck in “productivity mode.”

There is a sense of time pressure, a feeling I’m not quite where I should be, and a worry that I’ll never get caught up.

January can inflate those worries, no doubt.

This was my first week back online after a two-week break, and at times, I felt myself slipping into this anxious, fearful state-of-mind.

No, I haven’t finished setting intentions and goals for the year ahead.

No, I haven’t finished my annual reflection on 2020.

No, I haven’t caught up on my inbox.

So what?

We are cultured to believe that if we’re not quick, fast, and efficient, then there is something wrong with us.

But a lot of the best things in life don’t happen quickly. Whether it’s a meaningful friendship or a home-cooked meal, the best things in life can't usually be rushed.

So this is a reminder, as much to myself as it is to you:

It’s okay to be slow. It’s okay to take your time.

As we embark on a new year together, where in your life can you take your foot off the gas pedal?

Maybe you’re writing a novel or training for a race. Perhaps you simply want to re-establish some old friendships.

What would it look like to take a small step in that direction, rather than a giant leap?

Words of Wisdom

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
— Lao Tzu