Slowing Down to Speed Up: Finding Intention in a Hyperactive World
We’re nearing the end of Q4 and with that comes a lot of pressure – to meet deadlines, reach goals, and set new, shiny objectives for 2024. While it’s tempting to want to hit the ground running and dive headfirst into KPIs, I’m here to remind you of the importance of taking a step back before you throw yourself into the challenges of the new year.
It’s a paradox, but when you think about it, slowing down to speed up makes a lot of sense when it comes to professional, and personal, aspirations. We’ll go over the power of reflection, how you can better avoid burnout, and finding the right balance between productivity and self-care. It’s a habit that can be difficult to form, but one that will ultimately help you be happier, healthier, and believe it or not, more successful.
Finding power in reflection
The holiday season can be overwhelming and chaotic – from family gatherings to multiple events to preparations for 2024, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and dive into the new year with little to no reflection on what happened in 2023. Part of slowing down is taking the time to reflect – and not just on the good moments.
Reflecting helps us deal with closure on past failures and learn important lessons that we can carry with us into the new year. When I talk about “reflecting,” I don’t just mean a quick 5-minute skim of your highs and lows of the year. The real benefits from reflection come with the work you put into processing what worked, what didn’t, what you should repeat in the new year, and what you should change. It takes time to fully understand past events, and before you dive into that new marketing campaign or jump on an email project, make sure you did the work to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Avoiding burnout
While practicing honest reflection is a great way to help you slow down your start to 2024, it’s also a key part of avoiding burnout. As a founder, the last thing you want is to feel tired, defeated, and too stressed to let your creativity flow – all by the end of Q1. It’s great to be excited about a project or a campaign, but it’s also important to make time for yourself so you can put your best work forward.
Consider adding the following tips to your resolution list to avoid feeling like your tank is empty before the year even starts:
Make time for self-care. Schedule time to exercise, cook a healthy meal, read a book, or have a spa day. Recharging your battery is crucial if you want to produce great work.
Create professional boundaries. Find yourself stuck to your computer at midnight? While we can’t avoid late nights sometimes, making this a habit can ultimately hurt your professional and personal goals. Set a time for yourself to stop working and stick to it. Have too much on your plate? Learn to say no! Prioritize doing three things well instead of ten things poorly.
Schedule in time for breaks and reflection. Reflection is not a one-time practice. It should be an ongoing habit that forces you to hit the brakes and see things from a new perspective. Sometimes the best thing you can do when working on a big project is to step away.
Build a strong network. Whether your coworkers, family, or friends, having a strong network will make it easier to pull yourself out of work mode and have some fun. Creating bonds with people actually releases chemicals in your brain that make you happier, healthier, and calmer.
Learn more about dealing with burnout in my post here. It can be easy to talk about making time for yourself, but with the frenzy of the new year and in the fast-paced digital world we live in, how do you actually balance work and rest?
Work and play: finding the right balance
As a New Yorker with over 10 years of experience in the marketing industry, I know a thing or two about hustle culture. While hard work can pay off immensely and build strong character traits, there is such a thing as working too hard or too much. There’s also such a thing as working too little or not pushing yourself to level up.
So where is the line?
While everyone is different and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding the perfect work-life balance, I think a good rule of thumb is to dedicate at least 30 minutes - one hour a day to something you love. Pick up that book, finish the puzzle, listen to your favorite album – and do it all guilt-free. Even if it means putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, taking the time to recharge will help you approach your professional and personal goals with a more rational, effective take.
Conclusion
Our go-go-go culture can sometimes make us feel like slowing down means we’re lazy, or not doing enough to get ahead. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Slowing down can actually help you speed up and reach your goals more intentionally and more quickly, and with a healthier mindset. As we approach the new year, remember to reflect on your 2023, set some goals for ways to avoid burnout in 2024, and be mindful of finding the right balance between work and play in the new year. Here’s to a fabulous 2024 – I’m rooting for you!
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