Slow down your pace of living and enjoy life more. You’ve heard this statement before, but do you really believe it and follow it? To help you ponder this, some illustrations are given below.

When you’re in a hurry, you drive faster and usually exceed the speed limit. You’re more likely to go through a yellow light, which often turns red before you get out of the intersection. You drive closer to other vehicles and run the risk of rear ending the car in front of you if it stops suddenly. Being impatient usually doesn’t get you to your destination that much sooner, especially in heavy traffic or for shorter distances. But it does have a wear and tear factor on you, and potentially increases the likelihood of accidents for you and other cars. So what is the point of driving this way? It’s better to slow down and enjoy the drive to your destination. The secret is to leave a few minutes earlier so you have plenty of time to get there.

Often when conversing with others, we get in a hurry. We may speak faster and in the process not pronounce all words as clearly as we should. We are more opt to speak before fully thinking through our thoughts, and they will come out more jumbled. This can lead to some regrets. We are not as good of listeners. Many times we’re thinking about what we want to say to someone else, rather then listen carefully to them, and then present our views in a calm and organized manner. These types of simple errors and patterns of communication often lead to misunderstanding, disagreements, and even arguments. Once again what is the point of communicating this way? Slow down your conversations and communicate more effectively. Both you and others will get more out of your communication.

There is an old statement which says, when all else fails read the instruction manual. Too often we want to hurry up and get something done without reading the instructions, which are given to help us do it in the best and easiest way. This often leads to doing things the wrong way or an inferior way. Sometimes we can damage things or break them, and then we get upset with both ourselves and whatever it is we’re trying to work with. If you’re going to do something, do it when you have time and will patiently follow the instructions. This is your best chance of ending up with a good job done that is satisfactory to you.

Sometimes we have long-term goals. Such goals can involve several steps that take time to complete. We’re often discouraged by how long it will take to reach a goal. Instead of giving up on it, we should simply take one step at a time, at a pace we’re comfortable with and can sustain. In this way we will obtain the gold we desire. For example if you seek a college degree, plan out the curriculum. Then take one course at a time and ultimately you’ll receive that degree.

Often people start a small business, and want to have profits almost immediately. They do not learn enough about the industry or trade relating to the type of business they want to start. They do not check out the business climate in their region or area. They do not talk with others who have experience in the business, so they can learn to avoid common mistakes. They miss out on getting advice that will help them met the challenges facing a new business owner, especially in the type of business they seek to begin. They do not map out a strategy and a get training and line up the finances. They do not have a second or backup income from one marital partner to sustain family bills while the other partner is starting the new business. As a consequence of these things, too many small business owners run into unforeseen challenges and problems which lead to discouragement and giving up. Yet with a smarter approach the same individuals could have been successful. There would have been more planning and resources. All that is required is a slower and deliberate start, and then the patience to stick with the task until success is achieved.

Relationships also require time and effort to develop. It’s one thing to have many acquaintances, but another thing to cultivate some good personal friendships. These latter relationships require more time and effort. You must make time for friends as well as your self. You must listen to them, as well as them listen to you. You must be willing to help them, if you want them to help you. This implies that you pay more attention to friends than acquaintances, and you nurture in a slow and deliberate manner the friendships you have or want to develop. Family relationships are even more precious and long-term than friendships. They require more effort and patience and tolerance. Too many people today discount the value of family relationships and do not put the work into them, which such relationships deserve. This is one reason why people choose to live together instead of getting married, and why when a few things go wrong so many couples decide to get divorced. This is also why parents and children react to each other in a more negative way than is justified. Each person in the family needs to be in charge of their words and actions in order to show respect for others and set a good example for them. If this seems a bit of a challenge for you, then change the pace in your home and improve the quality of interaction. This may require less activities and more sharing and communication, but isn’t this worth the benefits derived?

I challenge you to look at the various aspects of your life. You will find areas where you could be more patient, tolerant and forgiving. You can control your thoughts better and be happier inside. You can set a better example for others in various ways. These types of things usually require that you get your life and all aspects of it under better control. Don’t let a lot of other people and external variables run your life or you. Instead take charge of your life and be a good inner boss. Practice good personal stewardship. Live you life in an effective manner. These things will lead to less stress and strain on you and others. You will experience more success in your endeavors and more personal happiness on a daily basis.

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Copyright  2008     Leland Pulley