Last week was a really busy week for me and I naturally assumed that if I picked up my pace, I’d get more done and feel like I’d achieved lots. I assumed wrong – I put too many dates in my diary, had overlaps where there shouldn’t have been, rushed from one thing to another and ended up backing by car into a fence post.
Oops.
Do you ever mistakenly equate faster with better? Of course, I can see now that if I’d been trying to things more carefully, I’d likely have achieved more, been on time for everything and wouldn’t have a car in the garage right now.
The pace we go at has an impact on our everyday lives, and our everyday lives have an impact on our pace, but it’s not always easy to be aware of, and pick, the pace we need.
There will be times you’re working hard, busy with life and responsibilities and you’re in ‘flo. You’ll take time out from all this – perhaps on holiday, an evening class or a run – and feel that it’s good to change your surroundings, but have you really changed your pace for more than a few hours? If you’re usually fast, have you slowed down enough?
Likewise, you may be convalescing and gearing up to doing more, but anticipating wanting to keep something back for yourself – perhaps that quiet feeling you’ve even gotten used to that felt a little uncomfortable at the start. It’s scary not knowing how the change of pace will impact you, isn’t it?
Going fast or slow?
A slow or a fast pace of life can’t always be chosen, and each will suit us differently at different times of our lives. We probably spend a lot of time comparing our pace to others too – one person is busier than me or someone else is more Zen.
I think about the way I walk my dog – I love doing it and could use this as a totally mindful experience, yet I don’t. Regularly, I take my phone with me and use the time to tick off another task, call or job. But in doing so, I miss out a proper break, mind-time out (not just body time out) and a chance to re-set and slow my pace.
If we’re aware of a changeable pace, from one that’s not always resourceful for us, to one that will be more so – let’s try and change it up.
I’ve been walking slower up the hill and laughing at the dog more. I’m keeping my social diary to essentials whilst I have a busy period and I’m backing out of my drive S.L.O.W.LY when I get my car back, that’s for sure.
What’s your own pace race?
You know I work in the cancer world, but this message is pertinent to us all. It’s not cool to look busy all the time – it look like bad time management. Keeping track of our pace, how busy we are and how much we’re adding into our lives that we have control over is an important awareness lesson for life.
Pace is about going at the speed that’s right for you and whatever is happening in your life. When we get the pace right for the longer term, we achieve more, with better outcomes and fewer dented bumpers.
Try this ‘change the pace’ exercise:
1. What was your pace like last week – was it fast but manageable, did you feel rushed and flustered? Or was it slower, too slow, almost bored?
Last week my pace was: .…………………………………..…………………………….
2. Look at your coming week – how do you want to feel?
Next week I want to feel:.…………………………………..…………………………….
3. When you feel like this, what will the result be?
The result will be:.…………………………………..…………………………………..……..
4. Write down how you can change your pace in order to feel this way next week:
I can make the following changes to my pace this coming week:
A…..…………………………………..…………………………………..…………………….
B..…………………………………………..…………………………………..……………….
C…………………………………………..…………………………………..…………………
5. Choose your favourite from question 4 – the one you’re most excited about changing – and use it to write the following:
‘I will change my pace from (insert answer from 1) to (insert answer from 2) by (insert your favourite option from 4) so that I will (insert answer from 3)
6. Write this again onto a post-it and place it somewhere you’ll see everyday. Put the thing you’re going to change in your diary now too, and also how you’ll feel at the end of the following week.
Well done, you’ve successfully planned to change your pace!
Feel like sharing? Tweet what you’ve changed with the hashtag #changedthepace. Tag me @coachingemily when you’ve done it!
Leave a Reply