Slowing Down: Your Productivity Will Thank You
Intentional Slow Downs: Real Reflections and Making Time
Slowing down is not something that is praised or rewarded in business. Many leaders acknowledge its importance, but the practice of truly reflecting or recharging happens sparingly for most of us. In my experience, we typically write off a needed slowdown due to a lack of time or an abundance of activity that demands attention. These, of course, go hand in hand.
As I've gained more experience (another way of saying I've gotten older), I’ve come to recognize the importance of slowing down at critical times in life. These moments come in different forms, but the repeating patterns I see in myself and those around me occur:
Before big decisions
Before a foreseeable activity speed-up
After a flurry of high-pressure events
All three of these are common in business, but they are often accompanied by more of the same. Big decisions lead to more activity. Activity brings pressure to perform and make even more decisions based on outcomes. The cycle repeats.
This week, as I’ve been on a slowdown with those I love most, I’ve had the chance to reflect, plan, and recharge for what’s next. No wonder we see Jesus doing this time and time again in the Gospels. Here are some of the many examples:
After His Baptism – 40 Days in the Wilderness
Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2
Jesus withdrew into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray before beginning His public ministry.
After Feeding the 5,000
Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, John 6:15
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.”
After Healing People and Casting Out Demons
Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Even after a long day of ministry, Jesus prioritized prayer in solitude.
Before Choosing the Twelve Disciples
Luke 6:12-13
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them.”
Before making a major decision, Jesus spent an entire night in prayer.
We see our Lord seeking wisdom through solitude and prayer before major decisions. We see Him retreat to the wilderness for 40 days to be tested and to pray before beginning His ministry. We see Him withdraw after long days of healing and serving others.
Slowing down is productive when used correctly and helps ensure we stay on the right path. Not every slowdown needs to be a vacation, but it should be intentional—time for reflection and recharge—as a tool to help us on the journey.
When’s the last time you slowed down? Perhaps a small slowdown tonight with the Father could do us all some good...
-Mark
