IS GETTING THERE FAST REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

How often do you do things or want things too fast—without thinking them through?

In entrepreneurship, we talk a lot about failing fast. In innovation, we celebrate fast success and scale. In our routines, we often want things delivered at the touch of our fingertips. Even in our dating life, we want to meet our life partner fast by swiping left or right.

Fast is something we say we want and need. As a full-time bootstrapping entrepreneur, I understand how speed is a cost. For example, not completing product development within the original timeline creates an additional cost burden.

However, over time, I’m reminded that there is another side of the coin that is even more expensive. The cost of not thinking thoroughly and failing to make decisions based on long-term benefits. The cost of fixing things you mistakenly approved too fast. The cost of your stomach-ache for eating your lunch too fast.

I’m reminded of this as I think about how far InnovatorsBox® has come and when I reflect on the publishing of my book, Rethink Creativity in both English and Korean. There are so many moments, every day, when I wish things would go faster within my business. And each time, I would blame myself for not doing things faster.

But when I see how beautifully the book came together, and when I see what impact we have in the workplace, I remember that quality and persistence speaks volumes. People see it and so do I. We would not be here if we focused on simply rushing to win and to scale.

Fast can be good. But fast 24/7, especially when most of us are working from home? That may lead us with regret and burnt out.

How can you live a bit more slowly today?

P.S. Happy Earth Day Month! (April 22)