Slowing Down to Speed Up

Back a few weeks ago I learned something while running a 5K that I now realize also applies to life in general.  This particular 5K was the day before I was going to run the ING Georgia Half Marathon.  I decided to take it easy and try and run the 5K in around a 10 minute per mile pace instead of my usual 9 minute pace.  I glanced at my watch at the end of the first mile to see 9:27… 30 seconds too fast and I felt like I was walking.  I slowed down even more and was surprised to see a 9:17 at the end of mile two.  A little frustrated, I tried to slow down even more and ran the third mile in 9:15.  I learned that I am a faster runner when I take the pressure off of myself, relax, and enjoy what I am doing.

Over the last few weeks I have applied this same concept to work.  I have found that when I don’t let the pressure get to me, I relax and just do one thing at a time, and I try to enjoy myself; that I perform so much better.  I feel like I have accomplished more by slowing down than I would have by trying to maintain a faster, more hectic pace.  It is weird to think that you can speed up by intentionally trying to slow down!