During the past week or so, I’ve noticed how so many people seem to be constantly rushing to do pretty much anything and everything. Whether it’s rushing to get to work, finish a book, add weight to their lifts or lose weight, they’re dead set on trying to do this as quickly as possible. Why? Is faster better?

Ok, I totally get that sometimes ‘things happen’ (eg the Tube breaks down, you get stuck in a lift (or, if you’re really unlucky, both!)) and you have to rush to avoid the negative consequence of not rushing (eg being late to work, missing an appointment or plane!), but, save for the unexpected happenings, I’m coming to the view that in terms of the overall experience or journey, things are generally better understood and more enjoyable when savoured and not rushed.

Someone who uses drastic measures in a rush to lose weight (say for example by way of meal replacement shakes)is unlikely to develop sound nutritional habits or knowledge. Similarly, someone rushing to add weight to technically unsound lifts is, at best, likely to see their progress stall, at worst, they’ll get injured. Equally, rushing to finish the great book you’ve been reading will likely leave you with a feeling of ‘that was great, but NOW what’?

Next time you find yourself rushing or looking to do or achieve something as soon as possible, I’d urge you to take a minute (or two…) to think about how different, and perhaps more beneficial (perhaps in ways you wouldn’t expect) your accomplishment or experience would be if you slowed down, stopped rushing and enjoyed the process.