Balancing 'Fast' and 'Slow' for Optimal Performance
In my last article I talked about where our desire for 'Fast' comes from and the benefits that spring from accessing a slower mode. If you are in a hurry, slow down
Some of my clients who read the article said: “That’s all well and good and makes sense. However, I simply don’t know how to access the slower mode.” Here are some suggestions to spark your thinking.
But firstly, let me be clear. I’m not advocating 'Slow' per se. My argument is that many of us are out of balance. We are pretty much on the go 100% of the time. You might have come across the Ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang (see the image above). It shows how Yin needs Yang to work and visa versa – in other words they are interdependent, in need of a balance between the two. For simplicity we could argue that Yang is the ‘fast and go’ mode and Yin is the ‘slow and flow’ mode.
I’m not saying stop being Yang. I’m simply advocating the addition of some Yin time into your day. In Yang we process, achieve, move forward. In Yin, we integrate, pause, reflect, think. To move in the ‘right’ direction, the direction of your choosing, you need both.
It can feel difficult to access Yin in a world where Yang is the favoured energy. Essentially you need to learn to swim against the current. Here are some tips to help you access Yin in today’s increasingly hectic, pressured and fast paced world. Build on these, experiment, debate them with friends and colleagues, find out what works for you.
Our habits play a major part in this. As humans, we are creatures of habit. Look how quickly we got used to washing our hands all of the time and wearing face masks. We can get used to anything – good and bad. The bad habits usually creep in unconsciously, we just repeat them and suddenly we do them all of the time – checking our phone numerous times a day, snacking mindlessly, switching on the TV or any screen without thinking why or what for. Habits are simply the things we repeatably do. Over time our habits shape who we become. Hence, it’s worth spending a bit of time thinking about the habits you want to develop to help you become who you want to be. Good habits require intention, commitment and repetition. An excellent resource and insightful guide to building good habits is Atomic Habits by James Clear. Here are some tips on habits to help you access more Yin and become more balanced and productive.
Wake up earlier so the mornings aren’t rushed (you might need to get to bed earlier to do so safely and healthily).
Ensure you get enough sleep (the ultimate Yin mode). If you want to know how important sleep is to our everyday functioning and health, have a read of the immensely powerful ‘Why we sleep’ by Matthew Walker or watch his Ted Talk.
Wake up consciously. Don’t immediately check your emails, news or social media. Start with a quiet cup of coffee, a walk, some conscious breathing, your favourite exercise, or a bit of quality time with your family. Experiment with morning rituals that start your day in Yin mode.
Plan your diary so you have gaps between calls. Use the gaps to go for a walk, make notes, plan ahead, have a cup of tea, a snack, a brief stretch. You could set the default of meetings to 50 minutes rather than an hour to give you that breathing space in between meetings.
Ask yourself which of your calls could take place on the phone instead of on the screen and schedule one call a day so you catch some daylight. Or, if you can, just go for a walk, listening to a podcast or even just being with your own thoughts.
Be fully present in your meetings. I like to read in the evenings before I go to sleep. Sometimes my mind is still in Yang mode, particularly when I’ve worked late. It means I’m reading the words on the page but I’m not actually taking them in. I come to the end of the page, about to turn the page over, when I notice that I haven’t taken anything in. The same can happen in meetings; present in body but not in mind.
A final word. Don’t go overboard. The key to making long-lasting changes are small, incremental steps but sticking with them. If you just incorporate a bit more Yin every day, you might be able to marvel at how productive you are when in Yang mode. Enjoy!