In this day and age of soundbites and instant gratification, we often forget the value of spending time doing something of value.
We live in a world in which a YouTube video longer than 5 min is considered too long and the ideas that are supposed to change the world are only given a maximum time of 18 minutes on TED.com.
In our fast world, slow should not be a luxury reserved for time off on a beach or in a spa. Slow is a necessity. None of us learned to ride a bike in an afternoon. The process was slow. None of us formed deep, trusting and lasting relationships over one beer. The process was slow.
There is a reason a home cooked meal has greater value than fast food...and it’s not just because of the ingredients. It’s because a meal cooked at home is slow. It has to be. We can’t make something with love in a microwave. The process is slow.
Slow is what allows us to learn. Slow is what allows us to trust. Slow is what allows us to feel love for each other. The problem with slow is it requires time. And that’s exactly why it’s so powerful. It is the single greatest gift we can give someone - to give them our time. To offer hours, days, weeks, months or more knowing full well that any time we spend we will not get back, ever. Time is a non-refundable commodity. Once it’s spent, it’s gone. Time, more than money, has real, lasting value.
Anything slow, by definition, takes time...and that's exactly what makes it special.
I'm part of a new non-profit. It started in 2009. I joined in 2011. Slow is a key theme. It's such a temptation to not see the value in slow.
We have to purposely go back as a team and look at why has slow mattered. What insights or persuasive and insightful experiences have taken place only in the slowness?
When you ride against the grain of culture you have to know why more than ever.
I've just been introduced to your work. I am grateful. Thank you for pursuing what you believe in and sharing it with others. Godspeed.
Posted by: Beloved-daughter.blogspot.com | 08/24/2013 at 02:30 PM
Just yesterday I watched your video "If you don't Understand People, You Don't Understand Business." Upon pressing play, I looked at the length: ....30 minutes. And I sat there and sighed; I wished it could get the message across quicker. Reluctantly, I kept watching, though I had multiple tabs open on my browser just screaming to be clicked on.
The thing that happened, however, was that I started to really WANT to watch and listen to what you were saying. The message you shared that reminisced of Dale Carnegie's teachings was spectacular! In this day and age, sure it takes some self control to slow down, but it really is worth it. Thanks for being such a down to earth, honest, businessperson Simon!
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Posted by: lisa | 03/10/2012 at 12:43 AM
This is a very important factor in life for all of us. If you rush everything will eventually crash for you and then you will be forced to go slow and take things easily.
Posted by: jacob | 03/06/2012 at 10:48 AM
the slow time is for the ones we loves, for all the time we are going to spend with them and make every second be worth of it
Posted by: generic viagra | 02/23/2012 at 12:28 PM
Everything these days is so hectic. Thanks for the insight and taking things in a more pacific way so we don't stress ourselves to death. Thank a lot.
Posted by: John | 02/23/2012 at 12:21 PM
There is a reason a home cooked meal has greater value than fast food...and it’s not just because of the ingredients. It’s because a meal cooked at home is slow. It has to be. We can’t make something with love in a microwave. The process is slow.
Posted by: winstrol | 02/21/2012 at 06:49 AM
Beautifully said. My clients get this speech from me quite often as how can we enjoy anything truly enjoyable if we don't take the time to savor it. Many thanks!
Posted by: Steroids for Sale | 02/21/2012 at 06:48 AM
A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.
Posted by: Christian Louboutin Sale | 02/17/2012 at 08:37 PM
If we ask "What salary are you looking for?" say you're flexible, or say it depends on the responsibilities of the job. Try not to name a salary unless we really push you, because that gives us a leg up in the negotiating.
Posted by: Nike Air Max | 02/16/2012 at 10:52 PM
I like this shot, remembering my childhood when starting to ride a bike.
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Posted by: Nike Air Max | 02/13/2012 at 10:53 PM
Yes defiantly GO SLOW . the moment of first driving bicycle is great moment of I think everyone's.
Posted by: Erectile Dysfunction | 02/01/2012 at 06:15 AM
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Posted by: saudi airlines | 01/23/2012 at 06:33 AM
Exemplary message, Simon!
Since I'm past a half a hundred in age, I can tell you one thing for sure ...
The older you get, the faster time flies.
For that reason, alone ...
GO SLOW. :)
Posted by: MelanieKissell | 01/20/2012 at 12:17 PM
For a decade one of my sayings that came to me after a walk with people i was getting to know: "Go slow to go fast"
I've found that a satisfying and productive way to follow that mantra is to see the sweet spot of strongest shared interest and suggest we explore it together. That can lead to adventure, friendship and sometimes even co-creation
~ another fan of Simon's deceptively simple ideas
Posted by: kare | 01/20/2012 at 11:31 AM
"We live in a world in which a YouTube video longer than 5 min is considered too long and the ideas that are supposed to change the world are only given a maximum time of 18 minutes on TED.com."
I hear you!
Posted by: Jena | 01/18/2012 at 09:16 AM
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Posted by: cheap flower delivery | 01/17/2012 at 02:25 AM
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Posted by: trolley castors | 01/15/2012 at 09:20 AM
great post. i really loved what you said. thanks.
Posted by: cartoner | 01/14/2012 at 02:24 PM
Hi Simon,
you write "Time is a non-refundable commodity. Once it’s spent, it’s gone." I disagree. Time can be wasted, and then it is in fact gone. Or it can be spent, with consideration, on something or with someone important to us, and then it is transformed into memories, and it is not gone, it will remain with us forever. Time is not just linear, 'travelling' from past through current to future. Our lifetime is a pool of time, and the richest of man is the one who will manage to life every moment conciously and keep it alive in their memories.
Kind regards!
Ralf Schnell
Posted by: Ralf Schnell | 01/03/2012 at 03:49 AM
555linli5
good,Most of the trouble in the world is caused by people wanting to be important.
Posted by: Air Jordan 7 | 01/03/2012 at 02:51 AM
I loved this -
Anything slow, by definition, takes time...and that's exactly what makes it special.
What an amazing way to end something you wish didn't end. This... made me think.
Thank you :)
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