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Local Business  » Ten Easy Ways to Slow Down in Business*

Ten Easy Ways to Slow Down in Business*

Business runs at a fast pace. You need to consider ways in which

you can comfortably slow down. Because slowing down is

good for you and ultimately your business performance too...

You work better when your pace is slower. It gives

you the time to invest in others; in yourself. And it doesn't

mean you are underperforming - on the contrary, there are many

ways you will be better at what you do.

After all what are deadlines really? How many things in life can

survive if you leave them till the next day. The answer, of

course, is most of them. And some will be even

better if you do!

Here are ten great ideas to help you get back the space

you crave for and will definitely benefit from...

1. Meet Others Fully

If you are having a one-to-one meeting with someone, take the

time out to spend the time with them - fully. It will

give you an opportunity to relax and get more from the

interaction. Building the relationship to both your benefits.

2. Focus on One Thing

When you are on the phone, be on the phone. Doing more

than one thing makes both be done badly. So checking e-mails at

the same time is not a good thing - and often, the person on the

other end can tell as well when you are distracted by something

else.

3. Take Time to Eat

Two things here. Take a proper break when you can eat in peace,

sitting down. And when you are eating take the time to

chew slowly, aiming for 20 times per mouthful. It helps you

relax and helps digestion (not to mention reducing the

likelihood of overeating).

4. Appreciate Slack

By celebrating at having 'nothing to do' for an hour, you will

truly shift your mindset. In fact it is likely if you dump a few

'shoulds' you will enable your brain to become highly creative.

With some of this time you could take the time to read

'Slack' by Tom DeMarco.

5. Prioritise Well

As yourself this, 'If I only had half the time today, what would

be the most useful to do. You can certainly dump the

rest. There are definitely things that all of us do that are

quite valueless. It's OK to accept that, but recognise them for

what they are

6. Take a Break

Remembering to take your vacations; to attend your child's

school play; surprising your partner by getting home early. all

these will make a big difference, not just to others, but leave

you refreshed and balanced. And balance ensures you can do a

great job when you need to.

7. Overestimate

By looking at the time you take to do things and becoming more

than realistic, you will set more do-able expectations. 'More

than realistic' is about achieving a small number of

things and then stopping, within any timescale you set yourself.

That time is then yours, a gift to yourself.

8. Have a Cut-off

Many people try to cram so much in it makes them late which adds

to their frustration and personal pressure. So have a cut off

point where you will do no more - no last minute 'I can just fit

that in' sessions.

This will enable you not only to get where you should be when

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you should be, but, hey presto, you can appreciate the journey

too. For a more thorough application of this principle,

check-out Mark Forster's excellent book, 'Get Everything Done

and Still Have Time to Play'.

9. Be a Model

Showing others how to get a life can be profound for them. Your

people follow your behaviours, so by showing them you don't need

to be in the fast lane all the time, that slowing down is not

just OK, but a 'good thing', will do them a favour, as well as

you.

10. Realise your Dreams

You have but one life and it passes so quickly. Make the time to

access those dreams you wish you had achieved years ago. Walk on

cool grass with no shoes on, like Richard Gere did in 'Pretty

Woman'. Take that trip to Australia that you've always

wanted - even a few personal days of 'me time'. Who knows when

the time will be right if you don't do it now?

Slowing down is the new 'strong', rather that the

ill-defined weakness corporate life has determined for us.

Often the pace set for us is the choice of others - it's time to

get real and slow down.

About the author:

© 2005 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He

works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners,

managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips

and ideas at his website, www.coachin

g-businesses-to-success.com. (Note to editors. Feel free

to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value -

with a live link if you can).