One of the consistent pieces of feedback that I receive from my clients about the added value of my work is that I slow them down. Often they tell me how they feel a little uncomfortable each time before they meet me because they know that as we work they will slow down. And yet, they also say that it is exactly this slowing down, if only sometimes for an hour, that is so valuable.
While I am happy with the feedback, it sometimes puts me in a difficult position when explaining what I do to others because it seems that in our current world, fast is a value.
Interestingly, Corona seems to have increased the emphasis on speed as people scheduled meeting after meeting online, typically for one hour tops, ending the day with headaches and exhaustion. This speed is often spoken about in terms of efficiency, and getting things done, although when I speak with people mainly I hear about exhaustion, and “zoom fatigue.”
Yet, in a world that talks about efficiency and quickness, I can find no better way to work fast and be efficient than by slowing down to be able to reflect before jumping into action.
I’ve been wondering about how to explain this, and I came on a memory that I think gives some insight, so I am…