Slow down do not stop

When things get difficult, many people see two options. They can push through and handle the stress and discontent. Or they can quit and do something else.

I see it all the time. When we are trying to self-improve, we start to fall into a rut. Everything seems to be more difficult than it should be. Our progress slows and might even seem like we are going backwards.

At that moment, it may seem like we only have two options. We can quit. Or we can keep going. But both options present problems.

If we quit, we will never realize our potential. It will become habit to quit when the going gets tough. We will have trouble handling adversity. Obstacles will stop us in our tracks.

If we keep going and push through, we might hit a breakthrough. Or we might make ourselves miserable, always pushing for the next level. We delay happiness until we get to X point, but then we when arrive there we push to the next level.

When you are using the systems and habits approach to improvement there is a third option. This is the preferred option. This will help you keep making progress towards your goals but won’t make you miserable.

The answer sounds similar to quitting, so most people dismiss it. They think this is giving in to the challenge. They think you might as well quit.

The answer is to slow down. If the pace becomes too fast, slow the pace. If it is difficult to keep up with your routines, slow them down. Don’t stop them. Stopping makes it more likely you won’t ever get back to them.

Slowing down allows you to catch your breath. It allows you to keep forming the right habits. It allows you rethink the path to make sure you are still taking the right steps. It allows you to focus on the fundamentals.

If done right, it is a temporary slow down. You can use this time to tweak your processes. Maybe there is a better way. Maybe what worked in the past is outdated and needs refreshed.

Quitting doesn’t keep you moving forward. Pushing through ignores better paths. Slowing down might reduce how much progress you are making but it doesn’t stop the progress all together.

I’ve used this technique often throughout my life. It always seems like the next payoff is right around the corner, so I don’t want to quit, but my current process is too taxing to keep going.

If I can only hang on, even when that means slowing down, I have a shot. If I quit, I lose that chance to hit that next level of achievement. Slowing down allows me to pull my head up and look around. I can make adjustments that help me receive maximum reward for the work.

If you hit a wall and don’t think you can keep going, don’t lock yourself to those two options. Allows the pace to slow down. You can always speed it back up in a few weeks when you catch your breath. You can always slow down and focus on the basics, the fundamentals. Work on getting those right. This allows you to be flexible and adjust your process as you improve, reducing the chance of failure.