How Slowing Down Helps You Get Ahead

Playing tennis is something that I enjoy. I used to think tennis was about hitting the ball as hard as I could so my opponent couldn’t get it back. Then I learned that a large part of tennis is hitting the ball where your opponent isn’t. Sounds pretty obvious, I know.

This is a big change for the game, when I need to use more strategy and finesse to win the point, rather than speed and strength. Taking this a step further, while the ball is whizzing rapid fire back-and-forth and as I am about to hit the ball, I think… slow down.

This slowing down doesn’t mean the physical pace of the ball, but actually slowing down the movement in my head, as if it is in slow motion. This allows me to watch the ball closer as I hit it, to recognize more of where my opponents have moved on the court, and to be calmer. It puts me in a “zone” to hit the ball with more purpose and intention. 

Have you ever noticed, that the calmer you are when doing a task, time actually moves slower? Compare this to the opposite. When feeling pressure to get something done and rushing, I become even more panicked as time quickly evaporates.  This is also true in life. We actually have the ability to manipulate time.

The way to do this is to (1) be purposeful about what is most important at that moment, (2) be intentional about surrendering to focus on that one thing, and then (3) to slow it down.
 
Here are some things to think about for today that can help with the slowing process.

• What three things do I want to be most intentional about in my day today?

• What do I need to let go of today that is not as important?

• What can I do to allow myself to surrender in the moment and relax, no matter what the outcome?

• What do I need to do in my life to “clear the clutter” that keeps me from doing this?

S-l-o-w d-o-w-n.

Enjoy your life.

Allow for clarity and recognition of the very moment you are in and what is really important.

Take time to cultivate what counts.