It’s easy to notice that people and companies that have chosen to slow down and pay attention to the details produce better products or results. Look at Philippe Patek , Apple , Rols-Royce – the beauty is in the details. I have no idea what it is but all I can say is slowing down brings out the beauty of everything.
From the beginning of my business career I was on the fast-lane! Everything was about making money. I was very busy stringing things together many deals and projects from software development, running trucks, working as an I.T Manager, building website on the side and running a service to fix scratched CD’s, the list was endless. I couldn’t stomach the idea of missing out on an opportunity. I HAD TO DO EVERYTHING!
The fateful day came in 2007 when I crashed into a stray cow in the middle of the night. The insurance company refused to pay for the car. My best friend, my dad, died two months thereafter when he collided with a truck. Then my grandmother also passed on a month or so later. EVERYTHING CHANGED. Suddenly the flair in business disappeared. Deals fell apart. I felt as though someone was colluding against me.
After trying to escape that depressing realm for years, I have discovered that actually the answer lies in slowing down. When I slowed down I realised that things were not as bad as they seemed. For example, instead of continuing with the cat-and-mouse game with debt collectors, I simply told them I couldn’t pay them any more and made peace with the idea of their processes unfolding – that decision brought a lot of relief! I got rid of many things which were attributes to “fitting in” or “remaining cool among friends.” I tell you peer pressure runs deep!
With all those pressures set aside I have regained control of my time. The time to work on something until I get the “wow-effect” from a client is back and the WoW’s are streaming in!
The time to rebuild my business is back. This time I’m doing it slowly, paying attention to the details.