Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride
April 20th, 2008 Posted in Leadership, Life, NewsletterThey say the day we die we’ll have over 30 emails in our inbox, an unfinished to-do list and voicemails we have not returned. The fact is, we’ll never get it all done, no matter how much we do, so we might as well slow down and enjoy the ride. “But how can I slow down,” you might say, “when I have bills to pay, projects at work to finish, kids to raise and a to-do list as long as the Great Wall of China. If I slow down won’t my productivity go down the drain?”
Actually, the research says, “No.” People who take short breaks throughout the day have more overall accomplishments and get more done. Those who focus on energy management more than time management have more energy and are able to accomplish more in less time and take on their day with a smile instead of a frown.
Slowing down and enjoying the ride is a combination of attitude and habits. As Joy, the bus driver in The Energy Bus says, you only have one ride through life so you might as well enjoy it. This isn’t Disney World where we get as many rides as we want and we certainly don’t want a fast pass. Slowing down and enjoying the ride means we stop, take a deep breath and savor the special moments in our life and realize that every moment is special. For me it means stopping my energy bus from going 100 miles an hour to pause and have a lacrosse catch with my daughter, and read my son a book at night or rub my dogs belly and tell my wife I love her. It means to simply be grateful that I can do even the most basic of things such as walk and talk, write, eat, share, laugh, smile, pray and live.
Slowing down and enjoying the ride means that even in the midst of harried deadlines, pressure, stress from work, and our desire to accomplish and succeed that we stop the energy bus for a pit stop to gas-up and recharge and renew ourselves. It means we engage in habits, such as daily walks, that energize our batteries so we take on our daily challenges with more strength, energy, skill and focus.
When we slow down and enjoy the ride, we not only have more fun, ironically we create more success. Slowing down is one of the hardest things to do but when we do, instead of swimming against the current of life it allows us to ride some awesome energy waves and accomplish more in less time and cruise through life with a smile on our face.
Action Steps
1. Remind yourself each day that you only have one ride through life so enjoy it. Print out a free Enjoy the Ride poster from www.TheEnergyBus.com.
2. Schedule one to three 10-minute breaks each day to recharge your batteries so you’ll enjoy work and life more and get more done.
Sending Positive Energy Your Way!
-Jon | www.JonGordon.com
9 Responses to “Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride”
By jroosh on Apr 21, 2008
Jon, this was a good message, and particularly timely for me. Thanks.
By csong on Apr 21, 2008
Thank you for the much needed reminder. I tend to have the attitude that I must complete “my chores” before I can allow myself to enjoy some down-time. You are correct, I must re-fuel or suffer the consequence of burn-out. Thank your good timing on this subject.
By Dana's Energy Drawings on Apr 21, 2008
I’ve been reading your newsletters for a couple of years and have always appreciated your straightforward approach. No nonsense, straightforward, easy to understand and implement, powerful approach to managing day to day life in a positive way. Thanks Jon.
By Kyle on Apr 21, 2008
One way I slow down and “enjoy the ride” that is life is to braid my 7-year-old daughter’s hair. It is a great experience for both of us! Sometimes I do something traditional, sometimes we go all out like seven or eight braids or several braids that merge into one. For me it is a chance to be creative and focused. For her it is a way that her dad shows her some special attention. If you have a little girl, dads give this a try!
By Laura on Apr 21, 2008
I thank you Jon for always putting out your energy for others to understand in a no nonsense, yet gentle way.
I slow myself down by doing exercises like QiGong, which is a very different way to grab the energy from the earth and bring it into the body with slow, meticulate, movements that mimic how the earth and all its elements work. It allows me to breath deeply and recharge and release stress out as I pull strength and energy in.
Namaste
By Lillian on Apr 21, 2008
Hi, I haven’t posted before, but today I had the urge to add to the blog.
I don’t really get to have time to myself during the day because I’m still in high school. It’s really busy the entire school day, and we don’t get breaks other than lunch. The only down time I do get is after I get home. I was wondering if there’s any was to somehow break during the day without leaving the classroon (but I doubt it).
However, when I get home I listen to music and just try to relax before I work on my homework and eat dinner.
By Warih Wijayanti on Apr 21, 2008
Thanks for the reminder Jon. Before I read your message, I felt that I cheat on my office when I take a short break during working time. You are absolutely right that the short breaks energize us again.
By Connie on Apr 23, 2008
Since God does everything in a very big and generous way like eternity and infinity for example, if we seize each moment as it comes, we are able to capture the enjoyment for all our senses. What an awesome UNIVERSE! Everything is simpler if we break it down into segments or sections one at a time.
By Jan on May 27, 2008
Thank you for everything you do!