A Doer's Guide to Slowing Down

Bye my Busy Bee!

I was off skiing last week.

It was so much fun.

But as a former compulsive doer and solopreneur, learning to shut off completely took me a while.

I used to optimize my time and squeeze my agenda to the minute; ironically, I was often late!

Since overdoers spend a lot of energy, they are prone to burnout.

I learned the hard way that I need to refuel my energy often and keep my tank full.

Adieu, work hard, play hard!

I won't miss you.

Skiing refuels me incredibly, and it's a great boost once a year. For context, I skied 45 km in 8 hours following a fast skier - I used to compete when I was young. I love speed and even "pride myself" on my capacity to be lightning-quick.

But, I wanted to find more accessible and sustainable ways to refuel on a daily basis.

So when my coach first suggested that I try slowing down and even being idle, I freaked out.

I resisted the whole thing.

It felt counterintuitive.

I was definitely slow to embrace this one :)

But I gave it a shot and started creating moments where I was unproductive.

I felt lazy. And that felt even more wildly uncomfortable.

Here's a little secret I've been told: Where you feel the discomfort is where there is space for growth.

I took baby steps at first:

I turned off my phone to do focus work, which seems obvious to many, but it wasn't for me.

Then, I stopped checking my phone while waiting in line; this still feels awkward.

And I stopped doubling down on things, like listening to podcasts while running.

Oddly, those tiny changes sparked terrific results: I feel more present to myself.

That perked up my attention. So I took it up a notch (couldn't resist) and went on a four-day silent retreat—not for everyone, I'll admit.

From there, things changed. I  stopped believing time was my most precious commodity.

Now, I know it's my attention.

Finding space "just to be" without distractions has been an uncanny experiment.

Sometimes, not doing anything feels boring, but in others, I'll get inspired as if the idea was waiting for me to be still to arrive.

My practice is to find moments of stillness in-between moments of voracious curiosity that lead me down rabbit holes like Alice in Wonderland.

I now dare myself with that uncomfortable stillness; sometimes, I stumble on brilliant ideas, and sometimes, I remember where I left my headphones :)

Keep Quiet and feel the FOMO.

Shhhh,

Agate

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