There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and Steady, the tortoise, challenged him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch.
Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest. He looked back at Slow and Steady and cried out, “How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?”
Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, “There is plenty of time to relax.”
Slow and Steady walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line.
The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare.
Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. The tortoise was over the line.
After that, Hare always reminded himself, “Don’t brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!”
There’s no doubt that the world’s pace has sped up. If you’re a CEO, an executive, a manager, a business owner or any type of leader you are most likely strapped with many tasks and responsibilities. Many of us have business, families, charities, outside organizations and activities to contend with. We also have ourselves to take care of. Let’s face it if any of this represents you – you are running.
What’s a person to do in this face paced environment? Turning to technology isn’t the answer as that option has only proved to distract us more. The answer is simple; slow down to speed up! Yes, slow down to speed up!
When you’re in your business, especially if you are a small business owner you must take the time to slow down. Start in the morning by getting clear on the day ahead before you leave your home. Slow down on a Monday to have a morning team meeting to properly align for the week. Slow down for a day to create a quarterly or annual plan. Slowing down in this manner will give you the opportunity to get clear and speed up again.
Is it easy to slow down? Heck no! Especially if you’re attempting to do it on your own. Is it hard to create the discipline to slow down? Heck yes!
If you’re challenged in doing it on your own – get someone to assist you. Hire a coach to slow you down. A coach will ask you the right questions, the tough questions, hold you accountable to do what you say you’ll do, get you to recognize your blind spots that are holding you back, teach you the techniques, solutions, and strategies to maximize your time and efficiency. With the right coach and proper coaching, you will actually better yourself, your team and your company. You will gain clarity and be able to speed up to focus on what’s truly important.
I encourage you to take on the challenge of slowing down to speed up! The value of taking the time to properly slow down to get clear on what’s most important, creating a plan of implementation and follow through, coupled with the proper accountability and coaching is an investment that will pay you dividends for years to come.