How to Slow Down Time: Part One
There is great power in building strong habits, but the B-side of that hit record is that quite often we allow our routines to devolve into mindless ruts.
We succumb to tunnel vision. We check the same boxes, day in and day out, and while we may be productive, we aren’t nearly as effective and creative as we might be.
Most dangerously, ruts make time speed up. Ruts lull us into sleepwalking, into working–and living–on autopilot. When we’re not awake or aware, life becomes something that quickly passes us by.
Something I do with family or friends to jolt us out of ruts is every three months or so we just go somewhere new. Could be as big as an actual vacation or long weekend in a nearby AirBnB. Could be as small as trying a new restaurant or taking a drive through a part of town we’ve never explored.
The point is simply to see someplace new and experience something new.
When we introduce some novelty, we get our brains to perk up and go, “Whoa. I haven’t seen this before…haven’t been here. I need to pay attention!”
And paying attention… slows… time… down. Novelty creates anchor points, moments in our life we can refer to for context and meaning.
Like: “Remember that last minute road trip we took down the coast?? That’s the summer we decided to take horseback riding lessons.”
Or: “I remember the first time we went to that Ethiopian restaurant and ate with our hands.”
What is your next 90-day checkpoint to look forward to? Don’t let life pass you by. Give yourself a jolt of novelty, and slow time down.
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.