Slow Down to Speed Up
- Coach Chris
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
That’s a phrase the U.S. Marines live by - operating with precision under pressure.
And it all starts with space.
Space - such a great word and concept here. I just like saying it.
It’s one of my favourite ideas in both leadership done well and a life well lived.
Not outer space.
Inner space. Your mind, your emotions, and your higher self - the part of you that leads with clarity & courage instead of filtering through fear and limiting beliefs.
Without the space to think more deeply; without the space to reflect on the why of that last decision; without the space to plan from that place of clarity & courage rather than reactivity and blame; without the space to challenge your own thoughts – you lead yourself & others from a place of rushed thoughts & slow decisions, emotional haze, and overall…mediocrity.
Especially compared to your full potential – you are only tapping into max 70% of your potential.
Think about that – with avoiding creating space on your schedule (yes, hard-boundaried time) for simply non-distracted thinking, reflecting & decision-making, you are self-limiting your leadership and performance ceiling to a 7/10, at best.
So even those days when you are ‘killing it’ and feel like everything is clicking for you… you’re reaching about 70% of your potential. For results. For leadership. For influence. And for fulfillment.
How does that feel?
No blamey judgement here. Just facts.
According to organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich, while 95% of people believe they are self-aware, her research shows that only about 10-15% actually are (2018). This gap exists because of natural blind spots and the tendency to view ourselves positively. We require feedback from others.
McKinsey’s studies on “CEO excellence” (2019) found top-performing executives spend ~50% more time in reflection, unstructured thinking, or “white space” than their average-performing peers.
I mean, it’s not really a secret where the inability to take space & time for our own needs comes from. It’s something we learned early on that not being in observable action is lazy or unproductive …not only to others, but to ourselves! It’s simply a belief that is outdated.
You want to up your game? You want better results? More satisfaction? You want to be perceived as an even better leader than what you already are? Then try this 'Coach's Challenge'...
Do this:
Carve out 30 mins into your schedule 3 days per week, with no ability to be interrupted by trivial things.
If that means telling your team that you need 30 mins of uninterrupted thinking time – do that! You feel weird about that and need to call it ‘a meeting’ – then do that!
Keep a notebook and pen with you – that’s it. No agenda. No specific goals or decisions to strategize on in this time. Challenge yourself to be BORED! Your dopamine circuit could use the rest...
It sounds strange because you have never done it…and it works!
Some of my best decisions and ideas have come in these moments. Often this is where my blog topics come from. It's how I overcome 'stuckness'.
It’s akin to having the best ideas and solutions come to you while you’re in the shower. It’s where calmness, clarity, and open mindedness meet.
If you are willing to try this, carve that time out this week and make it happen.
Let the results of what you come up with, and how you feel about it right after, be your guide.
Space.
The final frontier.
For you.
One conversation can often be the turning point...reach out: info@coachingwithchris.ca
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