Comments

Save Time by Slowing Down! — 20 Comments

  1. Thank you for another thoughtful post, Imogen. The Alexander Technique was the first discipline that helped me to slow down and learn the benefits of a more measured pace. Tai Chi also helps me to stay present and not be swept up by the rush that surrounds us in our everyday world. In the Alexander Technique we say “I have time.” In Tai Chi practice we say, “There is no hurry in Tai Chi.” Both have enriched my life immensely. How delicious and rare it is to find a space of timelessness in a world chronically short on time.

    • Thanks, Jo Ann. There are many disciplines that have this concept, that’s for sure. Your last line is just lovely – “How delicious and rare it is to find a space of timelessness in a world chronically short on time” – and spot on. As the pace of life seems to be ever getting faster and faster, the ability to pause and slow down seems like a necessity to me!

  2. A week ago today I tweeted: “This morning I noticed my mind racing and knew I had to slow down or I’d be late for my train. #Ihavetime #spinningmywheels”
    That prompted a daylong rumination on slowing down, and I enjoyed repeating to myself, “I have time.” Every time I did, my rushing eased a bit or stopped completely.
    My style of Alexander teaching is greatly influenced by a teacher who was also adept at tai chi, so we practiced moving quickly with awareness pretty often. Because of last week’s experience, I am also writing a blog post on this same topic. I’ll probably be ready to post it next week.
    Thanks for your thoughts and insights, I have really been enjoying your blog. I agree that it is part of the story of being human, and it is absolutely dominant in our culture. I am happy to know the Alexander Technique, so I can become free of some of that conditioning.

  3. Imogen:

    Thank you so much for this post. I need to focus on slowing down. I am always doing so many things at once and then I make mistakes etc. I am really going to try and stay in the moment.

    Hugs:o)
    Jane ~ mom to Nicole, 17 yo, VSD, PAH, Eisenmenger, BHJS
    “If you don’t like something change it, if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.”

  4. The more I read about the Alexander Technique, the more I think it could be great for me. I’ve definitely noticed that I get more done – and feel more satisfaction – when I move more slowly rather than more quickly. Moving too quickly usually comes from unhelpful thoughts, whether feeling afraid (I won’t get something done) or frustrated (“this is too slow”) or unfocused. If I combine moving slowly with breathing, I get a whole new way of experiencing the world!

    Judy Stone-Goldman
    The Reflective Writer
    http://www.thereflectivewriter.com
    Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing

  5. Imogen, I had never heard of “end-gaining” or the Alexander Technique before. It makes sense. I had been experiencing almost daily headaches recently and I realized that I was unconsciously tensing my body as I worked online. Since then, I’ve been consciously trying to relax. It’s working and the headaches are practically gone. Thanks for sharing this. It’s great info.

  6. I always try to give myself an extra 10 minutes so that I’m not running around at the last minute forgetting things ~ it still happens but not very often. I organize everything I need the night before or first thing in the morning.

    If I write everything down ~ what I need to do, when I need to do it by, etc it helps keep my brain from racing around.

  7. I had never really thought about it but you are so right and this has happened to me so many times and trying to get something done super fast resulted in it taking longer because I was rushing too much. I am a “ready fire aim” kinda person so it is difficult for me to stop and take a breath before jumping in but I am making a conscious effort to try to be more in the moment and to slow down and review the situation before i react and jump in with both feet

  8. Hi Imogen,

    I used to be like this but many years have passed and I learned. I understood things don’t get done faster or better when I rush. And I never understood people who are constantly “running late”. Not worth the trouble!

    But I stil trip over things once in a while because I am just a little clumsy 🙂 hahaha!!

    Franziska San Pedro
    Flavor Designs
    Renewable Lifestyle & Art

  9. Absolutely agree, Imogen! Sometimes I’m definitely that person who sends the important email & forgets the attachment! That’s when it’s time to breath… get away from the desk & do a few yoga poses or take a few minutes to meditate.

    As the illustrious Ferris Bueller said “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

    Heidi & Atticus
    http://www.atticusuncensored.com
    “commentary to give you paws…”

  10. I like “blinkered focus.” Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed also Robert’s “pause that refreshes” and Jo Ann Widner’s final thought

  11. Pingback:Freedom to Change | Body Intelligence

  12. Pingback:Stop the Busy-ness and Be More Productive Part 2 Crazy Busy? Or a Life That’s Full and Interesting? | Body Intelligence

Leave a Reply to Imogen Ragone Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

HTML tags allowed in your comment: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>