Can You Achieve More By Slowing Down?

Working smart in small spurts is where you grow most of the time

I just told a private art student: “If you slow down, you will speed up!”

I love it when a student looks at me in a funny way.

If possible, always be positive with your words. And, smile as you give advice like this.

In a three-hour private lesson, I probably told my student to back away from the painting and sit on that stool. And then in five minutes, I said, “go sit on the stool” … again!

This student is an elementary school principal taking private lessons from me. He said, “Dang, you are tough!” But it was said with a smile and a positive outlook. I could see he was learning how important this could be to his growth.

Why? What good is this?

Often, an artist is in the “zone” when standing at an easel. The brushstrokes are coming fast and furious. When this happens, there is no time for thoughtful placement of them. Of course, some will say the strokes are intuitive. Maybe, and maybe not!

The same can be said about a writer when typing on the computer. Even a worker in your home laying tile in the bathroom, or painting a room for you, gets in a groove. What, you say?

Okay… here is my thought.

Slowing down allows the brain to work deliberately.

After many years of working at an easel and working at a computer, this is that I think. Fewer mistakes are made that need correction. I have heard other instructors, some I have taken workshops from, say something similar. The words might be slightly different, but the thought is the same.

Here are a few other thoughts, along with the slowing down theory.

1. Take a break more often, maybe every 15–20 minutes to start with. Later you may increase it to stopping more frequently than every 5 minutes. Sit quietly! It is tough to get into this habit, but it is the most important, in my opinion.
2. Take a walk … outside your home, work, studio, etc. Or … even if all you do is stand outside the door and look and listen to nature, it accomplishes the same thing!
3. Pick up an inspirational book, open to any page, and read just one page, paragraph, or quote. Stop when you hit something you need to think about. See how serendipity may have happened, and it applies to what you are working on. I’ve shown you a photo of a book at the top. Pick up something like this one! You won’t be sorry. Any page can be a moment worthy of that two-minute break.
4. Pick up your journal. Write down the last few thoughts you had when working. Don’t edit these. Just write them down. Good grammar does not matter on these! Write down what you just read in the book you opened to a page … even one word or two can be an inspirational idea.
5. Though you may be unplugged from digital media, you might write a quick text message to a friend. I don’t mean long, but just a “hey, I am thinking of you, and hope you are having a wonderful day.” It brings a smile to your face!
6. Along with the thought I gave you for #5 above, offer up a prayer, or a verbally spoken reflection, about what you are thankful for. It does not have to be a long list… just a few that come quickly to mind. What blessings do you have that can be spoken aloud for this one?

These habits can infuse your positive attitude and the ability to work quicker with clarity and deliberation. Besides slowing down our working process, the idea of positive thoughts helps us work better.

Here is a quote from “The War of Art” in the Forward by Robert McKee that speaks to me:

“… stunning images and ideas arrive as if from nowhere. In fact, these seemingly spontaneous flashes are so amazing, it’s hard to believe that our unworthy selves created them. From where, therefore, does our best stuff come?”

What I do most of the time.

I turn around to have my back to what I am working on. I pick up an art book and open it to any page. I have a few art books on the shelf that always inspire me. I change them at times from my extensive library located in my office.

If I have my computer in the room, I’ll quickly look at some inspiring photos of art by others I admire. I will say I don’t always have it in the room.

If I use the computer for my break, I may check out other artists to see what they have posted. I like to make a positive comment about what they have shown. I work hard to lift other artists up instead of saying anything that can be construed as critique in any way.

If not the laptop computer, my cell phone is usually in my back pocket, and I bring it out to send a quick message to a friend. I feel more positive because I have reached out to someone I have not spoken to in some time. It makes them feel good to be remembered, and it makes me smile to know I brightened their day. This has become a big priority for me.

Positivity is catching! If I am optimistic, those I contact, even digitally, will have a lighter feeling and possibly change their day from a negative to a more positive.

Then back to work with a renewed purpose!

I have fresh eyes to view what I have been working on, whether a painting or writing an article. You may want to call it “clarity of thought!”

I will write down a couple of words or a sentence or two that helps me focus on the path I want to follow.

The big takeaway …

Be Positive! Doing the above, my attitude is more positive.

I have slowed down, but my process is often faster when I work in this manner!

Be more deliberate. Slow down, and the work speeds up!