What is Strategic Slowness?
As I write this, I have 18 tabs open across the top of my screen. I dart from article to article searching for relevant information while simultaneously chuckling at what I’m researching: the idea of “slowing down to speed up.” One article contains a grim prediction about our hyper-speed work life, “Fast is deadly” while another promises that “Rest is Productive.” At the very least, I want to explore the concept of slowing down during my workday both to see what it would look like and do a reality check on its viability as a work strategy.
Why slow down?
The concept of strategically building periods of slowness into our day is not new, but it seems to have a new life in today’s work climate where concepts of wellness and longevity have taken root. In support, some convincingly argue that “spending more time resting during the workday doesn’t just stave off burnout—past research shows it can stimulate creativity, help you concentrate better and make the time you spend on meetings and tasks more efficient.” Simply put, strategic breaks during the day give your brain the rest it needs and in doing so boosts productivity and prevents burnout.
Being strategically slow in your client interactions also benefits both lawyer and client. Without a “hurry-up-and-get-the-necessary-information” mindset, active listening becomes easier and the client feels heard. There can be little doubt that the value of deliberate, paced engagement with client helps build a stronger long-term connection with the client and good relationships lead to better client retention.
Finally, many believe that the benefits attendant to a more positive work place leads to an overall more sustainable work environment for everyone. Slowing down is catchy, in a good way. It can lead to greater retention, better new hires, and ultimately attorneys who deliver a better client experience.
But how do I build pauses into my workday?
Strategically slowing down can come in any form that provides a pause. It may mean shutting off all notifications, putting your office phone on DND, blinking your eyes shut, and taking 5 big box breaths. It may mean taking a brisk walk outside and feeling the sun on your face for 10 minutes between projects. It may mean scheduling some of your meetings to take place five minutes past the hour to provide a few moments for everyone to reclaim calm before starting anew. It may mean writing your memorandum with more deliberation and less speed, or ending a 90 minute sprint work session with a true break at the end. Experts recommend 10-15 minute breaks, called micro-breaks, sprinkled two to three times throughout the day. Recognizing the necessity of these rest periods and actively building them into our day can make space for more enjoyment of the journey.
Changing your scenery is known to be beneficial for the brain. This could mean moving to a common area to edit your memorandum or reading a case next to a window. Enforcing hard stops on meetings will not only give you time to attend to your own well-being, it will also telegraph to others that you value their time and they should too. Trying different ways to bring “rest” into your day will likely show you what is most restorative to you over time.
When you are slowing down using whatever method speaks to you, give yourself a well-earned nod for this act of self-care. This added acknowledgment not only reinforces that you are giving yourself permission to do something new; on repeat, it will improve your motivation to keep going with this practice.
Some of us strive to work at top speed with very little attention to our internal need for rest. After all, working hard can be seen as virtuous and desirable. But armed with knowledge that breaks can be beneficial to us in many ways, we can start scheduling them guilt-free as part and parcel of our work day and break the habit of inefficient and exhausting work.
Of course, if you’re struggling with feeling overwhelmed, or anything else, LCL can help. We are here as a resource anytime you need it.