How Not To Hurry

Post written by Leo Babauta

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu

Consider the above quote from Lao Tzu, (perhaps mythical) father of Taoism: how can it be true?

Is it possible to never hurry, but to get everything done?

It seems contradictory to our modern world, where everything is a rush, where we try to cram as much into every minute of the day as possible, where if we are not busy, we feel unproductive and lazy.

In fact, often we compete by trying to show how busy we are. I have a thousand projects to do! Oh yeah? I have 10,000! The winner is the person who has the most insane schedule, who rushes from one thing to the next with the energy of a hummingbird, because obviously that means he’s the most successful and important.

Right?

Maybe not. Maybe we’re playing the wrong game — we’ve been conditioned to believe that busier is better, but actually the speed of doing is not as important as what we focus on doing.

Maybe we’re going at the wrong speed. Maybe if we are constantly rushing, we will miss out on life itself. Let’s let go of the obsession with speed, and instead slow down, stop rushing, and enjoy life.

And still get everything done.

Let’s look at how.

A Change of Mindset
The most important step is a realization that life is better when you move at a slower, more relaxed pace, instead of hurrying and rushing and trying to cram too much into every day. Instead, get the most out of every moment.

Is a book better if you speed read it, or if you take your time and get lost in it?

Is a song better if you skim through it, or if you take the time to really listen?

Is food better if you cram it down your throat, or if you savor every bite and really appreciate the flavor?

Is your work better if you’re trying to do 10 things at once, or if you really pour yourself into one important task?

Is your time spent with a friend or loved one better if you have a rushed meeting interrupted by your emails and text messages, or if you can relax and really focus on the person?

Life as a whole is better if you go slowly, and take the time to savor it, appreciate every moment. That’s the simplest reason to slow down.

And so, you’ll need to change your mindset (if you’ve been stuck in a rushed mindset until now). To do this, make the simple admission that life is better when savored, that work is better with focus. Then make the commitment to give that a try, to take some of the steps below.

But I Can’t Change!
There will be some among you who will admit that it would be nice to slow down, but you just can’t do it … your job won’t allow it, or you’ll lose income if you don’t do as many projects, or living in the city makes it too difficult to go slowly. It’s a nice ideal if you’re living on a tropical island, or out in the country, or if you have a job that allows control of your schedule … but it’s not realistic for your life.

I say bullshit.

Take responsibility for your life. If your job forces you to rush, take control of it. Make changes in what you do, in how you work. Work with your boss to make changes if necessary. And if really necessary, you can eventually change jobs. You are responsible for your life.

If you live in a city where everyone rushes, realize that you don’t have to be like everyone else. You can be different. You can walk instead of driving in rush hour traffic. You can have fewer meetings. You can work on fewer but more important things. You can be on your iPhone or Blackberry less, and be disconnected sometimes. Your environment doesn’t control your life — you do.

I’m not going to tell you how to take responsibility for your life, but once you make the decision, the how will become apparent over time.

Tips for a Slower-Paced Life
I can’t give you a step-by-step guide to moving slower, but here are some things to consider and perhaps adopt, if they work for your life. Some things might require you to change some major things, but they can be done over time.

1. Do less. Cut back on your projects, on your task list, on how much you try to do each day. Focus not on quantity but quality. Pick 2-3 important things — or even just one important thing — and work on those first. Save smaller, routine tasks for later in the day, but give yourself time to focus. Read more.
2. Have fewer meetings. Meetings are usually a big waste of time. And they eat into your day, forcing you to squeeze the things you really need to do into small windows, and making you rush. Try to have blocks of time with no interruptions, so you don’t have to rush from one meeting to another.
3. Practice disconnecting. Have times when you turn off your devices and your email notifications and whatnot. Time with no phone calls, when you’re just creating, or when you’re just spending time with someone, or just reading a book, or just taking a walk, or just eating mindfully. You can even disconnect for (gasp!) an entire day, and you won’t be hurt. I promise.
4. Give yourself time to get ready and get there. If you’re constantly rushing to appointments or other places you have to be, it’s because you don’t allot enough time in your schedule for preparing and for traveling. Pad your schedule to allow time for this stuff. If you think it only takes you 10 minutes to get ready for work or a date, perhaps give yourself 30-45 minutes so you don’t have to shave in a rush or put on makeup in the car. If you think you can get there in 10 minutes, perhaps give yourself 2-3 times that amount so you can go at a leisurely pace and maybe even get there early.
5. Practice being comfortable with sitting, doing nothing. One thing I’ve noticed is that when people have to wait, they become impatient or uncomfortable. They want their mobile device or at least a magazine, because standing and waiting is either a waste of time or something they’re not used to doing without feeling self-conscious. Instead, try just sitting there, looking around, soaking in your surroundings. Try standing in line and just watching and listening to people around you. It takes practice, but after awhile, you’ll do it with a smile.
6. Realize that if it doesn’t get done, that’s OK. There’s always tomorrow. And yes, I know that’s a frustrating attitude for some of you who don’t like laziness or procrastination or living without firm deadlines, but it’s also reality. The world likely won’t end if you don’t get that task done today. Your boss might get mad, but the company won’t collapse and the life will inevitably go on. And the things that need to get done will.
7. Start to eliminate the unnecessary. When you do the important things with focus, without rush, there will be things that get pushed back, that don’t get done. And you need to ask yourself: how necessary are these things? What would happen if I stopped doing them? How can I eliminate them, delegate them, automate them?
8. Practice mindfulness. Simply learn to live in the present, rather than thinking so much about the future or the past. When you eat, fully appreciate your food. When you’re with someone, be with them fully. When you’re walking, appreciate your surroundings, no matter where you are. Read this for more, and also try The Mindfulist.
9. Slowly eliminate commitments. We’re overcommitted, which is why we’re rushing around so much. I don’t just mean with work — projects and meetings and the like. Parents have tons of things to do with and for their kids, and we overcommit our kids as well. Many of us have busy social lives, or civic commitments, or are coaching or playing on sports teams. We have classes and groups and hobbies. But in trying to cram so much into our lives, we’re actually deteriorating the quality of those lives. Slowly eliminate commitments — pick 4-5 essential ones, and realize that the rest, while nice or important, just don’t fit right now. Politely inform people, over time, that you don’t have time to stick to those commitments.

Try these things out. Life is better when unrushed. And given the fleeting nature of this life, why waste even a moment by rushing through it?

Remember the quote above: if nature can get everything done without rushing, so can you.

Post courtesy Zen Habits

Book Review – “I Wish You Enough”

I recently had the opportunity to read “I Wish You Enough” by Bob Perks as a blogger for the Thomas Nelson Book Review program. “I Wish You Enough” encompasses 8 values needed for true contentment and happiness, and transforms them into 8 wishes–or sentiments–for the reader. Bob wrote “I Wish You Enough” after watching a father and daughter say good-bye at an airport. Throughout this book Bob reopens our eyes and hearts to the abundance all around that we so often take for granted.

Throughout the book we are reminded that often the tough times make all the blessings in life larger and brighter. How often in our Christian walks and daily lives we seem to overlook the small miracles and blessing that God is giving us each day. “I Wish You Enough” is an easy read that is beautifully illustrated with gorgeous artistry and photographs. Each chapter contains insights, quotes, and Biblical references for every aspect of life. I found myself laughing, smiling, and even tearing up a bit as I read these inspiring, uplifting, and touching stories.

“I Wish You Enough” is an excellent gift book for anyone, no matter what they are going through in life. Thomas Nelson Publishers has once again published an amazing book.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough “Hello’s” to get you through the final “Goodbye.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Photo Friday – Fire Station No. 5

By the turn of the century, the population of Mechanicsville had increased greatly, resulting in an increased demand of service facilities. Fire Station No. 5 was built to service the area in 1909. It was built in the Neo-Classical style, which was typical of the period. Its design fulfilled all the functional requirements of an efficient fire station, while accommodating aesthetic requirements of a Neo-Classical exterior. The tower rising from the center of the front facade was designed for quick drying fire hosed. Three brass fire poles allowed for quick descent from the upstairs to the ground floor.

Fire Station No. 5 is now the oldest remaining fire station in the City. It was designed for horse-drawn fire equipment. A fire company at the time comprised of two pieces of equipment, manned by five to seven men and drawn by four horses. Motorized fire equipment appeared in 1917 and Fire Station No. 5 became a center for repair of motorized fire engines for many years. Located at the intersection of Deadrick, Arthur, and McGhee Streets, it is now included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Dave Ramsey on Good Morning America

In case you missed Dave’s segment Thursday morning, Feb. 4, on Good Morning America; here is it. Dave Ramsey has advice for the unemployed and homeowners.

Straight Money Talk with Dave Ramsey

Thought for the Day – Hope

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” ~ Author Unknown

High-Performance Achievement from Dave Ramsey

Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve. —Mary Kay Ash

By Dave Ramsey

In 2007, I set an intimidating and seemingly unreachable goal for myself: to complete a marathon. Overwhelming? Definitely. Crazy? Probably. Reachable? YES. There was no question of whether I would do it halfway, just doing enough to get by. I was going to give it my all.

To do this, I knew I was going to have to change some habits and sacrifice in ways I never had before. After months of training, I did it. I completed the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, and you know what? All the sacrifices were worth it. All the people I’ve talked with agree. The early-morning runs, the loss of sleep, the physical pain and the mental battles are all are worth it in the end. Yes, I achieved my goal and learned a lot about running, but I didn’t tell you all that just to say I ran 26.2 miles and got a medal for it.

Here are three key points I took away from my marathon experience. I hope you will take these valuable lessons that I’ve learned and apply them to specific areas in your life—your money, getting out of debt, marriage, parenting, spirituality, you name it. These principles go far beyond the world of running.

1. High-performance achievement vs. “just getting the job done.” You have to go beyond your normal efforts to achieve high performance. You have to sacrifice intentionally. You have to do something different from what you’ve done before to reach a new level of personal excellence. People who reach a level of high-performance achievement grasp this. That’s why they’re different. If you want to distinguish yourself from people who are normal and just want to “get the job done,” aim high, set clear goals, and give it all you’ve got.
2. Keep away from negative people. If you’re trying to reach a positive goal, what benefit are negative people to you? None, so get away from them. Stick to positive influences in your life. It was so great to see people along the course that were cheering and encouraging me to keep going while I was running. There’s nothing like encouragement while you’re trying to achieve a big goal, is there? It may be tempting to have a “pity party” or jump on the cynical bandwagon, but it won’t be worth it in the end. Continuous negativity brings you down, so stay away from it.
3. Visualize achieving your goal. While I was training, I studied the course route over and over. I knew where I would be in the city at every mile marker. I knew where the hills were and where the straight stretches would be. The course wasn’t going to surprise me because I visualized myself working toward achieving each small goal along the way. The same goes if you want to get out of debt. If the big goal is to be debt-free in two years, that may seem a little overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to set small goals along the way, like paying off your debts smallest to largest. Quick wins will give you momentum to keep working toward the larger goal and help you visualize achieving it as well.

Be sure to talk with those around you who have achieved great goals they set for themselves. Find out what they did to overcome their intimidating obstacles and what they learned throughout the process. Always aim for your absolute highest and best—”gazelle intensity” is what I call it. Doing anything halfway should not be an option. Extend this kind of intensity and focus into all areas of your life, and you can and will transform your life for the better.

Dave talks more achieving this with your business at his ultimate business event, EntreLeadership. Come learn directly from this master entrepreneur how to build and grow your business the right way!

via High-Performance Achievement – Goal Setting – daveramsey.com.

Photo Friday – Clover Hill Mill

The Clover Hill Mill is a gristmill located in Blount County, Tennessee. Out of the hundreds of early-20th century mills once scattered across the mountains of East Tennessee, the Clover Hill Mill is one of the few still in operation, and the last such full service mill in Blount County. The mill was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

The Clover Hill Mill is a two-and-one-half story structure with a metal, gable roof, weatherboard siding, and a concrete foundation. A porch with square columns spans the front of the building. One-story wings are attached to the east and west ends of the structure, which were traditionally used as office space and storage space. The interior of the building retains much of the original mill machinery.

The mill’s outbuildings include a frame storage shed, built around 1960, and four metal grain silos, all built between 1969 and 1975. Due to their age, none of these structures are considered “contributing” structures on the National Register listing. The concrete foundation of the original mill’s overshot wheel is located behind the present structure.

External Link: Clover Hill Milling Company

Change the World!

By Lee Colan

Some people literally change the world; people like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, Ben Franklin.

Although it’s an ambitious goal to change the world, we often underestimate our singular power to change the world of those around us. We don’t have to be Oprah giving away new cars to positively change someone’s world. We each have that same power. We don’t even have to do anything! We only have to say three simple words.

Try one of these three-word, power-packed statements to change someone’s world:

I love you.
I thank you.
You are terrific.
I am sorry.

I trust you.
I promise you. (and keep it!)
God bless you.
I can help.

I understand you.
You are talented.
I believe you.
You will succeed.

You inspire me.
It’s no problem.
I forgive you.
You’re the best!

Whether we have a long conversation with a friend or simply place an order at a restaurant, every word makes a difference. The results of our interactions are rarely neutral; they are almost always positive or negative. Ask yourself, “Do my words reflect my commitment to helping others, creating win-wins, continuously learning, embracing change, supporting my team’s success?”

Words are the seeds of commitment. We plant the seeds with each movement of our lips. Once they are spoken, our words either grow in the form of an immediate response or they take time to germinate. Whether the result becomes apparent sooner or later, we cannot speak words of failure and defeat and expect a life of success and victory.

Plant the seeds of success in someone’s mind and heart today. You’ll start a positive ripple effect that can be felt by many people and many miles away, not to mention the positive effect you will feel inside.

Do not do a thing! Just say three simple words.

I will close with a three-word challenge: JUST SAY IT!

Dave Ramsey’s Goal Tracking Software

Today’s post is a reBlog from Ben Forrest’s blog Finding Forrest:

At the first of the year, Dave Ramsey’s My Total Money Makeover launched a new feature for tracking your yearly goals.

The software allows you to quickly create effective goals by showing you the make up of a good written goal. With each goal you create, you can categorize by various core values, set email reminders, due dates, and manage your progress.

The tool even features some helpful graphs to give you a bird’s eye view of how you are performing with your goals. The current version is nothing short of a fancy to-do list, but it’s the foundation to some big improvements coming soon.

You can try it out for free when you sign up for a free trial.

Thought for the Day

“If we we’re best friends & I asked you for help, would you help me? Then why wouldn’t you give me the same joy of helping you? It’s O.K. to ask a friend.” — The Power of WHO!

Web Link: Power of WHO!