I always talk about striving for minimal achievement. Trying to focus on doing one thing at time. This is becoming nearly impossible in a culture that rewards “multitasking”. When we do more than one thing at a time, we not only lose the quality of the work, but also the enjoyment. Moving at high speeds is just plain unhealthy, and I am as guilty as any of doing this.

JoAnn Pavin, at Soylutions sent me an article about the “slow down culture”. I had been talking to her that the art of having a meal slowly is gone. Sometimes we do not even sit and eat in our fast food culture. I value the time that my family and I can sit down to dinner together without rushing. Having dinner with a client or prospect still is the best way to build a relationship. In this area, the French with their long meals have it right.

The letter, attributed to Dominic Savio appears in many places on the web. I do not know if it is a true letter. But it makes some good points.

“This no-rush attitude doesn’t represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the “now”, present and concrete, versus the “global”, undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans’ essential values, the simplicity of living.

It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It’s time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.”