Worth it?
Goodmorning from Indiana. The fireplace is on and the coffee is brewed. The home is still asleep. In the corner of my living is a small reading nook by the book shelf. The best place in the world to read and think if you ask me…
It’s 5:33 a.m as I write this. I’ve been awake since 4a. I wake up quickly to my buzzing watch the doubles over as the alarm clock. Quickly, knowing the slower I go the less likely I am to get out of a comfy bed. “The faster I am able to get cold water on my face the more success my day will have.” After all, no-one can go back to bed after a splash of cold water on the face. My clothes had been laid out the night before. Gym and work clothes. No thinking required. My brain needs time before processing and decision making begins. Grab and go! I make my way out to the kitchen to let the dogs out (no accidents today) grateful* In the meantime I offload the dishwasher which I know my wife will be happy about when she comes out (or reads this email) whichever comes first. I let the dogs back in. Fill up 60ouces of water with LMNT and start hydrating. The coffee is ran through the grinder and starts brewing. I crack the door open to get airflow before starting the fire. The stage is set… everything is perfect in my world this morning.
I open my bible and begin reading 1Corinthians. Slowly… while sipping coffee, glancing at the fire and pondering the content I am consuming. I’m in no rush for anything… why would I be? In this moment, everything in my world is perfect. Why would I rush out of this? This thinking shapes my days. Yes, I have big goals and lots to accomplish. But in a rush I am not.
Has no one told you this?
Over a decade ago I am a young and hasty underground coal miner. I want to learn everything, grow in the company and be the best miner underground. One day I’m moving heavy equipment with even heavier equipment. In a rush to prove myself I make a mistake that would cost the crew hours. Not to mention a big blow to my ego. The old man I am working with gives me a patient smile and says “slow is fast… and fast is slow” Simple wisdom. Old man wisdom. Practical everyday wisdom!
In a rush
We live in a fast pace world. Everyone is busy. Everyone in a rush. When I look back on my life it’s easy to see the amount of mistakes I made simply because I was in a rush. Because I was busy at mind. Mistakes end up costing time and energy. Make enough of em you might just lose your confidence too. Knowing this, I made an adjustment. To start more of these days slow. To have more slow days and full rest days. Opposite of hustle culture.
I decided to practice the old man wisdom. Slow is fast… and fast is slow. The only way this works is if you work at it. Everything wants your time and attention. Knowing this… you might need to wake up at 4a.m with me.
-Or maybe you need to starting saying “no” or “not yet*” more often…
-Or to stop people pleasing at the expense of your mental health
-Or to move your timelines out a few extra months in order to reach that goal with less friction and busy-mindedness
-football is over now… maybe you need a break from the TV
-social media is political outage and distractions… time away could do the mind good
DoHardThings
Slow it downnnn, mannnn