‘There is more to life than increasing its speed’ – Mahatma Gandhi

So how have you been? Busy, right? Being busy is a badge of honour, an identity even. Who are we if we’re not busy? Let’s dig deeper into those some of these busy and slow down myths.

Busyness is an addictive pursuit. But not a very productive one. Studies over and over attest that busyness doesn’t leave room for good work, for creativity, for success.

So many of us have been brought up to think that our worth is in our accomplishments. That in order to be worthy we must do, do, do. Working really hard, or else we will fail, we won’t achieve our dreams, we will disappoint.

The more we do, the more we achieve, the happier we are. Let me ask you, how is that working out for you? Those slow down myths taking too much space? I thought so.

I know, because I have been there, and that’s why I created an entire business around slowing down. I believe that we need to first slow down and face our fears. Know our truth, our meaningful mission statement. Only then do we begin to let go and hunderstand what living large with less can actually mean for us. Often the rush is an excuse to help us feel like we are worthy and valued. What that’s really doing is masking our focus and flow.

But let’s get back to those myths, those objections I know some of us hear in our minds at the very mention of slowing down.

What slowing down is not?

I want to address prevalent misconceptions about slowing down right off the bat. Let me guess, you can’t slow down because…

• You don’t have time
• You have a lot of responsibilities
• You need to stay busy if you want to achieve, to do better, to be happy.

My sweet friend, the fast paced non-stop working is preventing you from seeing your priorities clearly. You need to slow down precisely because you have so many responsibilities.

You can’t see the forest from the trees, your true mission from the busyness.

Slowing down is…

Not lazy, is not being irresponsible, is not neglecting your family, your business, your children.

Not leaving everything in a heap, abandoning your goals, your ambitions. Quite the opposite. It’s the most responsible thing you can do. It allows you to get clear on where your focus needs to be.

Not a luxury, a trendy choice for the lucky few who can afford to slow down. The busiest you are, the more you need to slow down.

Not always pleasant. For some of us, slowing down can bring to surface real challenges. It makes us face who we are when we are not doing, rushing, striving, moving mountains. Who we are in the quiet, slow moments. There is a lot of discomfort in that, enough to send you running to your busy rushing routines. Are you willing to sit with that discomfort and see what’s on the other side of it?

What slowing down really is

In my course I talk a lot about how slowing down makes room for you to get clarity on where you’re at, and where you want to be. On what’s really important to you.

Busyness can never make up for lack of clarity, for intention. It prevents it.

Regardless of our journeys so far, if we really want to, we can change our lives – starting with slowing and getting present with what truly matters and why. The how will figure itself out.

Why you need to slow down?

Let me be blunt. Life happens fast. I want you to be present for it, to lead it, not to let it happen to you. I want you to be at the wheel, awake and happy and excited about the drive.

I care so much about slowing down because I know it’s the only way to live a better life. To focus on what matters with intention and with vitality. And who doesn’t need that?

So, ask yourself…are you hiding behind busyness? Do you feel resistance coming up at the idea of slowing down? What’s behind that resistance?

Get more productive by slowing down

Beyond clarity, slowing down gives you the resources, the mental space and creativity to be efficient, to put more energy into what matters to you.

And if it’s productivity you’re concerned about, research is out – the fastest way to be productive, more creative, is…yes, slowing down.

Chris Bailey of A Life of Productivity says that staying busy and running on empty means we can’t possibly be productive. We’ll run out of fuel in no time.

And just now, you’re probably thinking this make sense, but still, you are different. You have A LOT on your plate. The slow down myths are the truth in your case. I hear you. And I want to give you another piece of information I came across in a book called Your brain at work. It’s this: your brain can only focus, really focus, on work for about six hours per week. That’s it. What happens to the rest of the hours you’re working hard? You’re busy, yes, but you’re probably not moving the needle forward all that much. Or at all. Time to take stock.

Your turn

My question for you today is this: what slow down myths do you hold on to? What do you want to change?

I hope you’ll start giving slowing down a go, or try my #hiddysslowdowndare.

Please comment below and let me know your answer. I would love to know what you think.

Thank you so much for being here and for adding your perspective. It means the world to me. Please share this post with someone you love, who might be in need of some slowing down today too!

If you are simply visiting here and not already part of my growing and thriving tribe of slowing AND achieving women worldwide, you can sign up here and grab the ‘Slow Down In My Life Right Now’ freebie to get started slowing AND achieving with me today!

Blessings, Hiddy xx

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