Have you been called a “slowpoke”, a “sloth”, or just plain “slow?” Have you ever been told to “speed up”, “hurry up”, “think fast”, or “spit it out”? If you have, this article is for you! You’re slow, you’re good at being slow, and you’re probably better off for it! This may be a fast-paced world, but you know that the quick way isn’t always the best way. Here are 15 great reasons why you may be “slow.”
You Make Sure Everything is Correct
I learned within 10 minutes at my first job at Burger King that I would never make a good drive-thru “pusher.” I was just too slow! I knew how upset people got when their order was incorrect, and I think I spent 3 precious minutes bobbing my head up and down between the food in the carry-out bag and the overhead order screen. Management quickly sent me back to front cashier. Slow people can be very methodical.
You Want Everything to Be Perfect
Slow people can also be perfectionists. This means it may take a long time to get the results, but they will be fantastic when you finally get them! The last person to finish tests is often the person who is carefully checking answers. I was one of those students who spent hours on my homework each night but also got straight A’s throughout my school career.
You’re Waiting for the Right Timing
If you’re slow, methodical, AND a perfectionist, you are also likely to be a procrastinator. You know you’re not a slacker — you have very good intentions — you’re just afraid that your project may take a very long time. In fact, this very article is past the due date! The best thing for you slow, perfectionistic, procrastinators like me is to make sure you break those projects into manageable chunks and then schedule them in throughout the week, reworking your timing as needed. If you can manage your time, you can put that perfectionism to great use!
You Are in “the Zone”
Do people complain that you are slow at correspondence? This may be because you find responding to e-mails, phonecalls, and texts very disruptive! I often find that I get into a flow throughout the day, and responding to a “very important” phonecall or e-mail can throw a wrench in my productivity machine. I feel much more at ease when I can sit down and respond to all my e-mails at once.
You Give Your Full Attention
I also much prefer completing one project at a time, which I’ve discovered is actually better for you! Studies show that in order to multitask you actually need to split your brain activity, which means less focus and less efficiency! Remember that on your next job interview! Finally, I’m uncomfortable answering the phone if I know my mind won’t be fully present. This may make us the wrong choice as an emergency contact, but it makes us the right person for a heart-to-heart conversation. When we talk with others, they know that we have time for them, and we’re not checking our e-mail while we’re doing it.
You Choose Your Words Carefully
Unfortunately, those who can spit out rapid-fire responses get noticed, while those with well-developed answers get the shaft! Introverts in particular take quite a long time to process information. They run their thoughts through a complex system of tests and tweaks before they are satisfied enough to share their response. So, often others think they have nothing to say! If you are one of those big analyzers, be sure to say, “Let me think on that a minute,” so that others know that you are still forming your response. Also, remember to find a healthy balance. Rapid-firers may regret speaking before thinking, but deep thinkers can fall into the trap of over-thinking.
You Think More Deeply
Not only do you spend quite a bit of time analyzing, you may go pretty deep with your thinking, too. You prefer profound thoughts to small talk, and there is so much knowledge and learning to consider! Deep thinkers may not be the life of the party, but if you ask the right questions — you might open Pandora’s box!
You’re a Good Listener
Or maybe you’re not deep in thought. Maybe you’re actually listening! Many people aren’t good listeners because they’re not giving their full attention to the person who is speaking; they’re too busy formulating what they will say next. Good listeners still their minds and do not form a response until the other person is finished. These are the people that you really want to talk with because you know they’ll hear everything you have to say.
You Consider All of Your Options
Some may call you indecisive . . . but how about open-minded? I’m sometimes the last person to place my order because I won’t settle for “the usual.” I’m brave enough to try something new but conscientious enough to thoroughly read the menu and try to make my best choice.
You’re An Artist
When it was time to go out, and I was running behind I used to joke to my partner that I was having a “girl moment.” Truthfully, I was getting my inner artist on! I would experiment with make-up, adding a little of this and taking away a little of that, looking at my face from every angle in the mirror. And I would sometimes change my whole outfit 5 or 6 times because I just couldn’t find the top to match the bottom. And then it was accessories, accessories, accessories! That’s also why we spend so much time trying on clothes? We know what looks good, and we’re not stopping ’til we find it!
You Enjoy Your Food
Are you considered a “slow-eater”? Good for you! This is much better for your health. As a classroom teacher, by the time I made it to lunch after wrapping up for the morning, I usually had 10-15 minutes to shovel down food. During a visit to my chiropractor I asked about my issues with bloating, and I was amazed by the simplicity of his response: “Chew your food more slowly.” Sure enough, my condition improved immediately after I changed my eating style! Besides allowing your stomach to more properly digest your food, you slow-eaters are more likely to enjoy your food. You’ll have more time to taste it, to smell it. Slow-eating is encouraged to help prevent over-eating, as well. If I’m craving a cookie, and I’ve crammed it down my throat, my body has missed the satisfying taste and smell, and I’m more likely to grab another one. Slowing down your eating also gives your stomach a chance to catch up with your eyes! Those who eat more slowly are more likely to recognize when their stomach is full and to stop eating when they are satisfied.
You Want to Fully Get Something
How much do you remember of those tests you crammed for? How much did you really get from that article you skimmed? I enjoy a book much more when I take my time reading it. I get a lot more out of a movie when I rewind parts that I missed. The more you slow down, the more you understand.
You Care
Which gifts do you appreciate the most and remember the longest — the ones that took two seconds to buy or the ones that took careful thought and much effort? Some people will go on a hunt until they find that perfect gift. Others make them, infusing their precious time and love into their gifts. This past Christmas my dad’s gift to me was a beautiful miniature stained glass window of lighthouses (my favorite image) that he had created himself. You can be sure that will stay in my window for the rest of my life.
You’re in the Moment
Do people complain that you walk too slowly, run too slowly, ride too slowly, or drive too slowly? Besides being a safer person, you are also more likely to be relaxed and in the moment! Think about those “Sunday drivers” that drive you crazy — or maybe you’ve been one of them! Why do they drive so slowly? They are relaxed. They are not rushing to work or to an appointment. They are spending the day with family and friends, in a state of peace, doing the things they love. Isn’t that a great place to be?
You Enjoy the View
When you take a brisk walk through the park, do you remember the flowers that you passed? Do you catch the birds that fly overhead? I’ve found that I can’t remember much of what I did on the days that I rushed from place to place, and I don’t see any of the trail when I’m biking for speed. My mom is notorious for lagging behind on nature walks because she stops every few feet to take pictures! She says that taking pictures has opened up a whole new world for her. She sees things that she never would have noticed before.
You Want to Be Safe
There’s nothing wrong with slowing down and leaving yourself enough time to get where you want to go. I’d prefer to be safe and read a book for a bit if I arrive somewhere early. If people are honking behind you or passing you left and right — so what? I’ll bet you have a great driving record and are less likely to be found in a ditch on those bad weather days!
You’re Worth the Wait
So what that you’re the last one ready, the last one to speak, or the last one done? You’re worth it! You take your time, you do it right, and it turns out well. You’re a happier, more relaxed person, a genuine listener, a dependable employee, and you look amazing!
So, the next time someone tells that you are slow, take it as a compliment! Know that by slowing things down you are enjoying the view and keeping your life from speeding on by.
Featured photo credit: Just Colorful Bubble by Victor Hanacek via picjumbo.com
