Could slow persistence unlock creativity?

In a world seemingly addicted to efficiency and speed, it feels increasingly hard to find a counterbalance to a quick-hit, hyper-streamlined culture.

Where we’re going wrong:

It’s easy to mistake speed for breathtaking efficiency, and it’s very hard to break the tyranny of speed when it’s how you’re wired, or part of your identity or workplace culture. I don’t connect with a lot of the advice about slowing down because it tends to focus on doing less rather than enhancing the quality of whatever it is we make or do.

Let’s Rethink that! 

Rethinking speed requires more than becoming unbusy or downshifting. Instead, it requires us to reframe how we think about productivity: it can’t be about how fast or efficient we are, or the volume of work we get through in a week but how much true value or impact we create over time. 

Research shows that slowing down can help us to be more creative. Adam Grant’s wonderful book Originals shows that one of the key traits of people who come up with great new ideas is they are often quick to start but slow to finish. It took Leonardo da Vinci 16 years to paint the Mona Lisa. Cy Twombly's masterpiece Say Goodbye took 22 years to finish. Great art is often a combination of slow persistence and fiery ambition.

Putting into practice:

I was listening to the designer and trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort interviewed for the Time-Sensitive podcast. She shared a simple yet powerful idea:

“If you would give everything you do a few minutes more, it would change your life, possibly.”

It got me thinking about slowing down to take:

• A few minutes more writing a thoughtful email
• A few minutes more listening to your kids, friends or partner
• A few minutes more eating a meal
• A few minutes more doing something you love.

Perhaps taking just a few more minutes could help to improve the quality of your work, relationships and life. 

Warmly,