More intensity and working even harder is not the answer to achieving more space and time for yourself. To achieve the things in your life that you want, you have to make them happen in the right conditions ánd your beating position.

Unfortunately, this goes against much of what we are taught in school and throughout our careers and careers. Where time, speed and constant pressure(s) are celebrated regardless of the inputs, outputs and results they create.

After all, we are still mostly paid according to the hours we invest in something (irrespective of whether it is effective use of time) and are still minimally valued.

Do less. Better. 

How can you be more meaningful by actually slowing down? Because in a world that wants you to go faster, there is a huge payoff - both personally and professionally - if you do the opposite.

Slowing down in order to accelerate

The biggest challenge for any ambitious person is to see slowing down as an essential part of your performance. And therefore not as a reward for your effort. Just like in (elite) sports. Rest is at least as important as your athletic activity, effort and your achieved results. By training in combination with sufficient rest, good nutrition, sufficient sleep you remain in top condition and top fit. And you can perform better and accelerate at the moments it is asked of you.

I lived in sixth gear for many years. Spent most of my life as the hyperactive person with maximum intensity and speed. Anything less than 100% intensity I saw as a missed opportunity. I went for the maximum and was therefore "lucky" to have boundless energy. Didn't get the nickname "Duracell Rabbit" for nothing. 😊. 

This mindset and commitment worked, and got me a lot and far. But only up to a point:
Maximum intensity as a strategy is effective in the short and medium term, but begins to show cracks as you extend the time horizon.

Because I worked full-time in international corporate business and was frequently on the road and on (business) travel. I also worked for years as a trainer/instructor in the sports industry. What started as a hobby eventually became a serious second job. And I became a mother, without cutting back on hours and speed of life.

But in the end, this is not the long-term strategy that will sustain you and move you forward. You hit the proverbial "wall" and stagnate or fall away. By that time, it is often too late to change your course and consciously choose a different and balanced approach. Then you are either chosen for you or you are no longer living and growing. 

Just like a marathon runner who starts a race too soon and cannot complete it because you have effectively knocked yourself out of the game. Without top position, top fitness and a win, you then find yourself looking at your desired podium spot from a distance....

The Quality and Value of your Life are a play - your strategic game of positioning, next steps and compounding

The important thing is to stay in the game long enough for compounding to do its job. The longer you can stay in the game, the greater your growth. So take your time and give yourself time.

Moreover, if you are constantly moving fast, everything flashes by you and you are more likely to miss new opportunities and your view of the big picture. As you slow down, you begin to see the opportunities and world more clearly. 

This way you have insight into:

- The energy leakers and energy suckers in your life: the people and activities that suck away your energy and happiness.
- The energizers that bring fulfillment and value to your life and make the best use of your unique blend of talents and competencies.
- The free time and space you create to look for the new opportunities and growth possibilities you may have missed.
- The little beauties around you, the moments of gratitude and joy.
The position, your next steps and the value of your Life, Leadership and Legacy.

The paradox of speed: Slowing down allows you to speed up.

3 strategies to slow down more regularly and live slower

1. Say "No" more often.

How many times do you say "Yes" to something, when you don't actually have the time and/or inclination for it. But you don't want to reject, disappoint and like the other person.
But unfortunately, being nice to everyone comes at the expense of being nice to yourself. Saying No to another is saying YES to yourself. Normalize saying "No" to create more space in your life.
Simple ways to reduce new commitments:

Know that you never owe an explanation; "No" is also an answer.
Say, "I'll think about it and let you know tomorrow." Take time to think about your answer and before you pledge again too impulsively and out of habit.
The default answer for you is "No. A 'Yes' is always possible, but not obvious.

Normalize saying 'No' to things to create more space and better position in your life.

So dare to say "No" more often. And if the other person struggles with that and does not accept your boundary, ask yourself if that person is of value to you.
Doing things reluctantly is one of the worst things. It robs you of precious time and energy and therefore reduces your quality of life.

2. Stop multitasking

Multitasking is a myth perpetuated by hustle culture. It's false productivity. You think you can live up to it all, but you're just running around delivering a bunch of work. Losing focus and energy at the expense of the quality of your delivered work.

Create your own 'Perfect Repeatable Week'. Your perfect schedule per day, on which you arrange your activities based on your optimal focus and energy. Build your day around a few focused activities with breaks in between. Cluster related activities to focus on that one important task.

Also, don't forget to plan and actually take your breaks. Taking short breaks throughout the day is an easy way to reduce stress and improve your overall performance. 

3. Go for walks more often 

Walking is now scientifically proven to improve creativity and problem solving. You give your brain rest and time to discharge and then recharge for your next appointment or activity. Your head clears again and with new ideas you often look at problems and challenging issues in a completely different way.

Research shows that walking stimulates creative thinking by an average of 60%, and the benefits lasted well beyond the walk itself.

I walk every day. I call them my wanderlust walks. Getting outside into nature without any distractions from phones, music or other devices. Really running my head "clear" for a while to then be able to move on (or go to bed) with a fresh head.

When I ask successful people about daily routines that contribute to their effectiveness, they all mention a personal version of and way to create space in their lives to reflect. And for many of them, that is walking (alone and without distractions) in nature.

Escape from the rat race

Life is not short. It is actually very long, but we make it short when we sprint through it. How can you ARE more in the now, by doing less?

By stopping racing through life. By being lived and limited. Either by another, your environment or by your own imposed and created boundaries.

Live. Every thing you do today is something your 90-year-old self wishes they could do back. Look back on those "good old days," but those good old days are happening now.

Slow down, look around, embrace the present.

Your whole life will change the moment you realize that the growth you have been asking for is on the other side of the silence you have been avoiding.

But, don't dwell on a place that is no longer yours. And then hope until things will get better, or that you will when xyz gets there. Because that's like waiting in a waiting room, an interim where your life stood still and you didn't grow forward. 

Life, Leadership & Legacy

Do you want to get the most out of yourself and life right now? But in your own way and in a place where you are of value, seen and heard? And at the end of your life you can look back satisfied and proud of what you have meant to others and what you leave behind (your Legacy)?

Transform your life, business and future: Become the leader of your own success and financial freedom.

Re-Set your position and vision: saying goodbye to your current standard. 
Re-Design your life and your business: the in-between space full of uncertainties, chaos, opportunities, creativity. 
Re-Build your growth and legacy: making new ideas part of a new reality and successes. 

Change requires letting go of what is now, and choosing what you desire. The choice is yours...

One Life. Lead it. Live it.

Have a great week,
Gerdi

PS. If you'd like to know how I can help you, your position or your company become the visionary leader of your life and business in your own way, schedule a strategic orientation meeting with me. I will be happy to discuss what opportunities and growth possibilities I foresee for you.

Whenever you are ready:

✅ Ready to do things differently? Start to Lead your Life and Business
✅ More time and freedom for yourself and growing your business?  Scale to Unlimited Freedom
✅ Working together on the new future and focusing on healthy living, leadership and entrepreneurship? Life, Leadership & Legacy
✅ A 4-week Sprint collaboration for your specific strategic issue: Whether it's your LinkedIn Sprint, Strategic Positioning Sprint or Growth Sprint.... Your strategic issue worked out in a clear plan with the right actions to get your result to be achieved in 2025. 

Living life as a leader of a successful future-proof business and a financially healthy future.

Achieve greater returns and grow profitably on a personal, business and financial level

Book tips:

Books that have helped me:

PS. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite books list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list. 
Divide = multiply.

As Leader of Your Future = Living and Entrepreneurship on Your Own Terms