I’ve been telling people this for several years. The admonishment, for me, began even before I joined the Trump Network. In previous a network marketing venture I found, to no one’s surprise, that people often focus on the task – such as solving a problem, much more than on the process – like finding and understanding its causes (and planning better solutions accordingly.)
Most of us in Western culture can easily focus on solving a problem or removing a barrier. After all, we know what’s wrong - just fix it! As many of you know through your Trump Network experiences, the desire to quickly take action (Just DO Something!) often leads to incomplete solutions. Most times, these ‘solutions’ just cause more problems, occasionally ones that are worse than the original. Quick solutions are answers that don’t solve.
Go slow to go fast.
By taking time to focus on the process, in other words, thinking about how to solve the problem, and then using some sequence of steps that include understanding the causes of the problem often we achieve better results. The downside is that these steps may seem like they take a lot of time. In the moment of decision, that time is often seen as wasted ("Let’s just solve the problem!").
Go slow to go fast.
Several current happenings have worked recently to remind me of this saying. I was reading a book and put it down to think about it. This is very odd behavior for me, because I’m a speed reader and can fly through books and magazines. However, I find when I am truly enjoying something like a book, I put it down from time to time because I decided some reflection would make the book richer, more valuable and more enjoyable. Go slow to go fast.
After I had put it down and was contemplating what I had read, I picked up a soda I was drinking. I thought it was fairly empty, but as I quickly brought it up it spilled (mostly on me!). I certainly didn’t intend to spill it, and the point is I ended up spending much more time cleaning it up because I assumed and moved too fast. Slow down to go fast. A trivial example? Perhaps. But often the greatest truths are often seen in the simplest acts. Go slow to go fast.
This phrase is also in my consciousness as I work with new options and opportunities that come through my office each day. The temptation is strong to just roar through each new situation. However, through my actions, I and those I’m dealing with are learning the importance of process - the importance of slowing down. As a result we get things done more rapidly overall…and with finality – not having to keep doing them over and over again.
I urge you to think about the application of this concept to your life. I am sure you will come to the same conclusion I have - that we can often improve our results simply by slowing down and focusing on process as well as task.
When you come to this conclusion, I urge you to pick one task or problem you are working on and apply this advice. Slow down. Focusing on the process you are using to solve the problem will bring clarity and help you avoid mistakes. It may be a bit frustrating, but in the long run it will be time well spent.
To your continued success… Financial Freedom Investors
