In a Hurry? Get More Out of Life by Slowing Down

If you were to make a list of everything you want to complete this week, it would likely be even longer than you’d anticipate. The cold, hard fact is that life is one busy ride. To get more done, you’re inclined to rush things.

And when you’re always in a hurry, you probably give up on striving for a calmer, more satisfying existence.

Lucky for you, even with your busy life, there are some solutions to slow your pace.

Examine these strategies to derive more pleasure out of life by taking it down a few notches: 

1. Resolve to slow down. Step one is consciously stating to yourself that you’ll slow down, beginning right now. Keep the idea of slowing down in the forefront of your mind. Accept the fact that more isn’t necessarily better.
2. Reflect on the times when you feel the most rushed. Is it in the mornings when you’re getting ready for work or preparing dinner in the evening? Maybe you’re going at high speed when you’re trying to get the kids out the door to school.

• Be aware of when you find yourself feeling the most need to move quickly so you can brainstorm methods to slow down at those times.
  

3. Notice if certain people or things going on around you compel you to hurry. Trying to get to the bottom of why you’re rushing will help you figure out how to slow things down. For example, if certain people are frequently telling you to “hurry up,” find time to talk with them about the situation.
4. Share your feelings about wanting to slow down your pace with your partner. Also, you might find it necessary to explain that you’d prefer your partner avoid saying anything to rush you.

• Problem-solve together how you’ll change your actions to accomplish your goal of slowing down.

5. Make adjustments to your schedule. For example, if the morning is the time you feel the most hurried, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier to allow more time. Take advantage of the power you have by doing something as simple as arising earlier.

• If you constantly rush the kids to get them out the door, talk briefly with them and state they’ll need to start getting up 10 minutes earlier so the mornings aren’t as hectic.

6. Examine your overall schedule. Are you consistently in a rush because your schedule is crammed? Are you trying to do too much in a day? Look over your daily schedule with a critical eye.

• Cut the fat. What can you omit from your schedule today? You’ll be relieved after you make some adjustments.

7. Remember that you can be a lot more efficient, happier, and calmer by slowing down your pace. Maybe you can’t do the Book Club, The Room Mother thing, and grocery-shopping on Thursday afternoons and maintain your sanity.

• Give yourself permission to let something go or rearrange your schedule to have downtime between duties.
• When you slow down, you can better focus on each of the activities you do choose to do. You’ll find them more rewarding and invigorating when you don’t have to rush from one activity to the next.

Slowing down your life will bring new vitality to your existence. Tell yourself you deserve the life you’ve always dreamed of. Vow to enjoy every single minute of it by slowing down your pace.