Slow Down to Enjoy Life

I happened to read an article about the work culture in Volvo, Sweden ( yes, It’s  the same Bus that most of us travel in on our way to the Bangalore International airport) . It is usually the norm here that all projects take a minimum of 2 years to be finalized.  Even though the idea is simple and brilliant , it is a norm that has to be followed.

It also goes on to say that the people who come to the office park their car in the farthest area of the car park and leave the area closest to the door to the late comers. I personally feel this is brilliant and imagine the positive frame of mind one would walk in to the office by thinking on similar lines.

So what is the big thing over here about taking a lot more time in doing things?This is particularly important for all of us in the Indian Context. It is a known fact that most of the people in the developed countries work far less than Indians but are more productive and healthy  due to their work life balance and more importantly,  doing things more slowly. One drive or ride on the Indian roads puts to rest all questions on people being in a tearing hurry to reach their destination.

This no-rush attitude doesn’t represent doing less or having lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity and perfection. It leads to more attention to detail and less stress. It means re establishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Making the “now”, present and concrete, versus the “global”, undefined and anonymous. It means re enforcing our essential values and the simplicity of living. It stands for a less coercive work environment. This in turn will result in a more happy, lighter and productive Work area where humans enjoy doing what they best know. It’s time to stop and think on how companies need to develop quality with a no-rush attitude that will increase productivity and the quality of their products and services, without losing the essence of their spirit.

Many of us live our lives running behind time but we only catch up when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in what each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.

I did come across a site http://slowdownnow.org/ which is a cool site with some of the points mentioned below help one to slow down in life and be more productive

1. Have a relaxing cup of coffee or tea in the morning to set you up

2. Spend some quality time with your family at least in the morning before everyone heads out to their respective tasks.

3. Write down these words and stick them in a place where you can see “  Multitasking is Moral weakness”

4. Try to do one thing at a time.

In fact latest research does point out glaringly that it is best to do one thing at a time. By doing things slowly we can cherish and savour the moment. Some of these things will be difficult to implement, but by working on small changes and changing over our habits we can do things more slowly.

 I love this idea. It is what is at the heart of the simplicity movement, as well as those who are trying to live frugal lives. It’s not just a matter of reducing clutter or saving money … it’s a matter of slowing down to enjoy life more, savouring life’s simple pleasures, of rejecting on some level the materialistic culture that we are all caught up in and embracing fellow humans instead. It is about changing our values and priorities.

I was jazzed with this concept and made up my mind to work on at least a couple of areas in my life immediately to experience the magic of doing things slowly and living in the present. What is one area of your life would  you want to do more slowly from now ?  Do share your experience and let me know how this has impacted you so that others can also pick up some learning's from your experience.

As usual do not forget to share this article with your friends and family. It might for all you know make a huge difference to them in case this has impacted you positively.