I've been going slow ever since 2017. It is a very deliberate process. Well worth the effort. it takes real effort to wind down. Comparable to quiting smoking. You can be ten yrs post quitting and get cravings. It those times that can derail everything. The intentionally and planning is essential in living a royal life.
I had a hit the high point of career advancement for my profession. I transitioned into building other people's business, and frankly I was tired of growing other people's lives. My wife transitioned her office in DC to the North East. It was time to start our family and concentrate on that. The real work began and much more grateful. I rather use my talents to build for My family.The world has changed. The availability of stable electricity and internet has transformed the ability to transact in most places. That makes it easier. 16 hrs ago I experienced the joy of my 6 yr old swimming in a "hidden" pool under a stone arch I. Calabria. The best part. I can stay here as long as I like.
Going slow is the highest form of luxury and self-discipline. Going slow for me and my company means that we are taking everything one mindful step at a time. We are fine tuning and honing our systems and methods. Going slow means it takes time. Time to thoughtfully process and savor each step. It takes great self-discipline to go slow. Many times, immediate gratification or results is expected. It is empty. True results worth having comes from going slow and taking your time. Choosing every step of the way.
Yes. Then I decided, as I looked out into the red ocean, that it was time to get into port and assess the next uncontested market space. Going slow helped us navigate around the red ocean, into port, and hunker down to create.
Going slow for me and my company means that we are taking everything one mindful step at a time. We are fine tuning and honing our systems and methods. Going slow means it takes time. Time to thoughtfully process and savor each step. It takes great self-discipline to go slow. Many times, immediate gratification or results is expected. It is empty. True results worth having comes from going slow and taking your time. Choosing every step of the way.
Tell me I'm not the only one who has to Google "what is a drongo"...and then re-google "slang meaning of drongo" because no way did Tim mean an African desert black bird.
Going slow is my new MO. I was working so many hours to get somewhere, then I realized there was nowhere to go. Every goal met turns into a new goal, it never feels like enough. I’m still highly ambitious with goals and dreams, but my new goal is to enjoy the process. To work fewer hours but with so much focus, get more done. The important things. Then log off and live my life. To me, that’s success.
This is where I’m at. Less is more. This is how ppl lived when I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s. Its how ppl live in most of Italy, where I’m moving. It’s just normal living but our culture is so warped that it feels (and actually is) radical.
Couldn't have said it better. 20 years ago I suddenly realised that the less I did the happier and smarter I became. My income rose exponentially the fewer hours I did by subcontracting out. Now retired and reaping the benefits.
I became self-employed and working from home. I had decided I didn't want to be responsible for employing anyone anymore. It was at a time pre-Internet and mobile phones when people were setting up secretarial services enabling me to transfer my phone over to them and work from anywhere as long as I could access a phone.
This is BRILLIANT. I love the colorful references to drug use (I'm a recovering cocaine and sex addict). I'm in the midst of building my "side hustle" as my main gig. I'm a writer too! Thanks for the inspiration and colorful writing. We write and think a lot alike. Yes, slow down, hot salsa!
See what I'm up to using my full name with a dot com at the end. Lots of writing and my latest book. You're an inspiration. I love your message so much. My mentor @Robert Slayton sent this to me. Again. YOU are brilliant. A great piece.
My book is called The PIt of Despair-How God, Prayer and the 12 Steps Saved My Life from Addiction. Available wherever books are sold . Or get in touch at lisajobarr@gmail.com and I'll send you an autographed copy if you're in the US for $23.99. (Retail is$18.99). Dude, you rock
As a guy who wants to build things, grow things, and generally make my living in the non-digital part of world, I am always frustrated with this singular train of thought masquerading as advice; use software to leverage your work…when it gets to be too much, hire some useful idiot to it for you.
Slowing down makes sense and is a wonderful tactic on the way to a life purpose. Tim, you write wonderfully, but your advice is not useful for us mooks who keep the trains running.
This is awesome advice if you want to write and generate ‘content’ —but isn’t that terrible how our culture has de-humanized rhetoric to the level of an ingredient in potato salad(?).
So I would challenge you, Tim, how do you translate this into advice or perspective that is more universal than that? Slowing down is a start, but what’s next? My thought is that we need to build better things, not more cheap things, but that also requires convincing a customer that this is better for them as well.
I remember walking through a museum in the Czech Republic once and marveling at all the well made items, both practical and artistic. And while they were not entirely handmade, the manufacturing processes that made them took time and required a skilled hand to pull the lever. Did we miss as step when we transitioned from the last industrial revolution?
You write: “They’re grinding out but with no pathway to become free. It’s sad. I get emotional about this too. Literal lives wasted. Hours with children gone because of no free time.” This makes me very emotional too. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation,” LABORING the best hours of their days for the best years of their lives, that is being LEVERAGE for someone else, doing other people’s sh*t. I don’t want to be used as leverage and I don’t want anyone else to be used either. You can say I’m naive or too idealistic, but nothing will really change until we stop always trying to take advantage of one another.
I've heard it called "escape velocity" or "FIRE" (Financial Independence, Retire Early) or just plain old "Financial Independence". Not sure it's about "slowing down" but rather achieving a sufficient ongoing income so that one can pursue one's true passions (that was me 35 years ago). For me, "slowing down" sounds boring. Whatever I do, I want to do with my deepest attention and focus. Otherwise, why bother?
I love this Tim and would request permission to use it in addition to the goal of financial independence and that freedom brings the freedom to go slow.
I will make that one of my goals for the next few years - "Reaching a point when I can start going slow!"
This is liquid gold this article Tim. I absolutely love it. We should look to do a podcast and chat about this sort of stuff as it would add a lot of value to everyone.
Going slow and being a bit different in this crazy world is important!
I've been going slow ever since 2017. It is a very deliberate process. Well worth the effort. it takes real effort to wind down. Comparable to quiting smoking. You can be ten yrs post quitting and get cravings. It those times that can derail everything. The intentionally and planning is essential in living a royal life.
What led you to go slow in 2017 Antono?
I had a hit the high point of career advancement for my profession. I transitioned into building other people's business, and frankly I was tired of growing other people's lives. My wife transitioned her office in DC to the North East. It was time to start our family and concentrate on that. The real work began and much more grateful. I rather use my talents to build for My family.The world has changed. The availability of stable electricity and internet has transformed the ability to transact in most places. That makes it easier. 16 hrs ago I experienced the joy of my 6 yr old swimming in a "hidden" pool under a stone arch I. Calabria. The best part. I can stay here as long as I like.
Going slow is the highest form of luxury and self-discipline. Going slow for me and my company means that we are taking everything one mindful step at a time. We are fine tuning and honing our systems and methods. Going slow means it takes time. Time to thoughtfully process and savor each step. It takes great self-discipline to go slow. Many times, immediate gratification or results is expected. It is empty. True results worth having comes from going slow and taking your time. Choosing every step of the way.
Have you reached this going slow point yet Donna?
Yes. Then I decided, as I looked out into the red ocean, that it was time to get into port and assess the next uncontested market space. Going slow helped us navigate around the red ocean, into port, and hunker down to create.
Good point Donna, how would you define 'going slow' in your case?
Going slow for me and my company means that we are taking everything one mindful step at a time. We are fine tuning and honing our systems and methods. Going slow means it takes time. Time to thoughtfully process and savor each step. It takes great self-discipline to go slow. Many times, immediate gratification or results is expected. It is empty. True results worth having comes from going slow and taking your time. Choosing every step of the way.
Tell me I'm not the only one who has to Google "what is a drongo"...and then re-google "slang meaning of drongo" because no way did Tim mean an African desert black bird.
@Katie, drongo means idiot in Aussie slang. Have you not heard that before?
Nope. You are my only exposure to Aussie culture since moving back to the US (from the UK) in 2000 :(
leverage and lifestyle design. Refreshing counterpoint to the frenetic pace of modern life and work culture
Have you heard it before?
Going slow is my new MO. I was working so many hours to get somewhere, then I realized there was nowhere to go. Every goal met turns into a new goal, it never feels like enough. I’m still highly ambitious with goals and dreams, but my new goal is to enjoy the process. To work fewer hours but with so much focus, get more done. The important things. Then log off and live my life. To me, that’s success.
What made you change?
Learning to slow down has been really hard for me. But what joy it brings. I highly recommend taking life a little easier.
It's hard for everyone
This is where I’m at. Less is more. This is how ppl lived when I was growing up in the 70s and early 80s. Its how ppl live in most of Italy, where I’m moving. It’s just normal living but our culture is so warped that it feels (and actually is) radical.
This is the new form of wealth. Less is more.
Couldn't have said it better. 20 years ago I suddenly realised that the less I did the happier and smarter I became. My income rose exponentially the fewer hours I did by subcontracting out. Now retired and reaping the benefits.
What triggered this to happen Lynda?
Hi Tim.
I became self-employed and working from home. I had decided I didn't want to be responsible for employing anyone anymore. It was at a time pre-Internet and mobile phones when people were setting up secretarial services enabling me to transfer my phone over to them and work from anywhere as long as I could access a phone.
I just realised my timeline was out.
It was actually 30 years ago. Time flies !
No, you haven't lost the plot... But I need to go fast now. I'll slow down later.
Interesting. I can relate. Do you think the key is to build wealth with the intention of optimising for a slowdown later?
No, I don't think that should be the goal. It's that if you committed, you could as well do your best. You call this 'obsession.'
Can I count my break from the job as going slow to focus on more writing?
Sure. Where will you write?
I guess substack is a great start
This is BRILLIANT. I love the colorful references to drug use (I'm a recovering cocaine and sex addict). I'm in the midst of building my "side hustle" as my main gig. I'm a writer too! Thanks for the inspiration and colorful writing. We write and think a lot alike. Yes, slow down, hot salsa!
See what I'm up to using my full name with a dot com at the end. Lots of writing and my latest book. You're an inspiration. I love your message so much. My mentor @Robert Slayton sent this to me. Again. YOU are brilliant. A great piece.
Huge confession. Where can I read your story Lisa?
My book is called The PIt of Despair-How God, Prayer and the 12 Steps Saved My Life from Addiction. Available wherever books are sold . Or get in touch at lisajobarr@gmail.com and I'll send you an autographed copy if you're in the US for $23.99. (Retail is$18.99). Dude, you rock
As a guy who wants to build things, grow things, and generally make my living in the non-digital part of world, I am always frustrated with this singular train of thought masquerading as advice; use software to leverage your work…when it gets to be too much, hire some useful idiot to it for you.
Slowing down makes sense and is a wonderful tactic on the way to a life purpose. Tim, you write wonderfully, but your advice is not useful for us mooks who keep the trains running.
This is awesome advice if you want to write and generate ‘content’ —but isn’t that terrible how our culture has de-humanized rhetoric to the level of an ingredient in potato salad(?).
So I would challenge you, Tim, how do you translate this into advice or perspective that is more universal than that? Slowing down is a start, but what’s next? My thought is that we need to build better things, not more cheap things, but that also requires convincing a customer that this is better for them as well.
I remember walking through a museum in the Czech Republic once and marveling at all the well made items, both practical and artistic. And while they were not entirely handmade, the manufacturing processes that made them took time and required a skilled hand to pull the lever. Did we miss as step when we transitioned from the last industrial revolution?
You write: “They’re grinding out but with no pathway to become free. It’s sad. I get emotional about this too. Literal lives wasted. Hours with children gone because of no free time.” This makes me very emotional too. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation,” LABORING the best hours of their days for the best years of their lives, that is being LEVERAGE for someone else, doing other people’s sh*t. I don’t want to be used as leverage and I don’t want anyone else to be used either. You can say I’m naive or too idealistic, but nothing will really change until we stop always trying to take advantage of one another.
I've heard it called "escape velocity" or "FIRE" (Financial Independence, Retire Early) or just plain old "Financial Independence". Not sure it's about "slowing down" but rather achieving a sufficient ongoing income so that one can pursue one's true passions (that was me 35 years ago). For me, "slowing down" sounds boring. Whatever I do, I want to do with my deepest attention and focus. Otherwise, why bother?
I love this Tim and would request permission to use it in addition to the goal of financial independence and that freedom brings the freedom to go slow.
I will make that one of my goals for the next few years - "Reaching a point when I can start going slow!"
This is liquid gold this article Tim. I absolutely love it. We should look to do a podcast and chat about this sort of stuff as it would add a lot of value to everyone.
Going slow and being a bit different in this crazy world is important!