"He who rushes ahead doesn't go far."
-- Lao-Tzu (~500 B.C.E), Tao Te Ching
Consider This:
The benefit of rushing is largely an illusion. The advantage it provides in the short term pales in comparison to the long term damage it can do. Rushing undermines critical thinking, dialogue, & learning processes. If unchecked for too long, it significantly decreases individual and organizational capacity to make smart decisions. It becomes OK not to think things through.
A distinction to look at is rushing vs. moving quickly. When someone rushes, they shortchange processes. When someone moves quickly, they follow processes - with speed. On the surface, they may look similar. However when you dig deeper you find different values driving each approach. With rushing, speed is valued over quality. With moving quickly, quality is valued over speed. If you have to slow down to ensure quality, you'll do it.
Try This:
1. When you feel like you're rushing too much, stop yourself.
2. Take a few deep breaths.
3. Get clear on whether the rushing is necessary.
4. If it isn't, slow down.
5. Re-assess and renegotiate timelines if needed.
6. While going slow can be tough at times, it can save a lot of headaches down the road.
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