If you Want to Achieve Goals Faster, Try Slowing Down
If you want to achieve goals faster, try slowing down.
We want to get things done fast and see quick results. But there is a simple truth: to reach goals faster, we should slow down.
This may sound strange but think about it. When we rush, we tend to make mistakes. These errors take time to fix. If you take a deep breath and go slow, you make fewer mistakes. The time you save by not having to fix things adds up. In the end, you move faster because you did it right the first time.
This rule applies to many parts of life.
Learning the Guitar
Take learning the guitar, for example. A good teacher will tell you to play slow at first. This helps you hit the right notes and build skill. If you play too fast, you miss notes or play them wrong. Then, you have to go back and fix what you learned wrong.
Check out the Time Management Training course to learn better control over your time and pace.
Driving
The same goes for driving. If you speed, you are more likely to make poor choices. You might miss a turn or, worse, cause a crash. Slowing down gives you time to see the road, the signs, and the other cars. You get where you are going faster and safer.
Explore the Decision Making and Problem Solving course to improve your judgement under pressure.
Speaking
Even in talking, this rule works. Speak too fast, and your words might come out wrong. Slow down, and you say what you really mean. People can hear and grasp your words better. This leads to good talks and less need to clear up what you meant.
Enhance your communication skills with the Communication Skills course.
Conclusion
The urge to rush can come from fear of falling behind. But remember, speed with care is true speed. When you take your time, you think through your steps. You avoid errors that slow you down. This way, you reach your goals without the drag of fixing mistakes.
Be calm, be clear, and take your time. This leads to less stress and more success. So, next time you want to rush, remember slowing down helps you speed up.
Definition: Slow down to speed up rule
In personal development, the slow down to speed up rule is a principle that says you cross the finish line sooner when you begin each task at a steady pace. Going slow stops errors, lets you plan clear steps, and keeps focus sharp, so you avoid the time drain of fixing mistakes. The rule works in many areas, from skill learning to safe travel and clear talk.
Show CG4D Definition
- Calls for an intentionally slower start to each task
- Prevents errors and reduces later rework
- Cuts total time to goal despite early slower pace
- Applies broadly across diverse daily activities
Article Summary
Slow, steady action cuts mistakes, sharpens focus, and gets you to any goal sooner, whether you learn guitar, drive, or speak; calm speed wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why does slowing down help me achieve goals faster?
How does a steady pace reduce mistakes?
Does the slow down to speed up rule work for learning music?
Can driving slower really get me there sooner?
How can slowing my speech improve communication?
What first steps help me build a slower work habit?
Is there science backing the slow approach?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2023 Harvard Business Review survey of 1,200 office staff finds that teams who take a two-minute pause each hour make 27% fewer errors and finish projects 9% faster than teams who work without breaks. National Highways UK data in 2024 shows cars that keep to the speed limit have 31% fewer crashes yet reach their end point only three minutes later on a standard thirty-mile trip.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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