My last Post?… Speed is a problem. But paradoxically, the best way to grow personally, professionally? Is to Slow down. Fred Couples, the beloved pro golfer was once asked, “Fred, with that slow, rhythmic swing of yours, how do you hit the ball so far? Fred smiled, “Oh that’s easy. I slow my swing down even more and just live with the extra thirty yards.

So it goes with personal development. You have to slow down to speed up. Let’s face it. We live today in a transaction driven society. Speed driven by technology (my last Post). Ask people where they spend most of their time? In urgent, important events of the day.Good! That’s how things get done.It’s about execution. Punching the tickets of the tasks in front of us. Lists of things to get done… meetings back to back. Ok, I get it. I’ve lived there. We all have to live there. Just don’t have to live there all the time.

Here’s where “the space between the notes” comes in. When do you step away and look at you? Where you are, what you’re doing to reach your goals, pursue your desires. Time alone with yourself… really? Be honest. Planning, priorities, thoughts about key relationships, decisions pending, your behaviors. Hmm. An opportunity? Think about it.

You operate a company I call “You Inc.”That’s right… you are your own business. You have to nourish it, feed it with time… time with yourself. Or you risk burn out, brown out… you find your self exhausted, confused, disorganized. Simply running the daily race.

Speaking of the race. Cars circle the track at high speed during the Indianapolis 500. But they have to go into the “pits” to refuel, change the tires, make strategic decisions… corrections.

Notice a centrifuge can spin at incredible  RPMs. But only if the content inside the cylinder  is balanced. If it’s out of balance … it will blow apart.

Those I coach? What do I recommend. “Quiet time”, meditation, a long walk, a nap… painting. Painting? (Winston Churchill produced 500 paintings. Time away with himself. Claimed it helped him shape his leadership style. Wow!) Yoga… time on a porch with some quite music playing. Reading the Bible. All these are techniques, methods, opportunities for time with yourself that have been helpful. Growth oriented.

I have discovered a few apps that teach you how to meditate… sounds while focusing, relaxing, drawing on your creative side. Give me some feedback on my blog and I’ll send you the websites. 

Try one of my coaching recommendations above… Don’t expect quick results. Life’s best outcomes are engaged as a process not as an isolated event. 

Bottom Line: It’s a paradox. The best way to accelerate, is to slow down. Create some space between the notes… learn more about yourself. It will make a difference…. Think about it.