… and Being in a Hurry Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

 

I saw a meme a while back that said,

I’m working on doing life at a more comfortable pace.”

 

It made me pause for a moment and think to myself, “yeah… me too.”

 

It was by Erica Layne who does a thing called The Life on Purpose Movement which is “a place for women doing life with intention.” Erica is a self-proclaimed sunset chaser and mom of three.

 

You can find her blog at The Life on Purpose Movement.

 

I don’t know about you, but a more comfortable pace, chasing sunsets, and living life with intention sounds like a good thing in an overstimulated world.

 

Working on doing life at a more comfortable pace seems like a worthy pursuit. But I think she was also intentional in selection the words “doing life…”

 

I don’t usually like to pick apart a writer’s word choice. We all got our fill of that in high school English class, didn’t we?

 

But, she might have said something like “I’m working on taking a more comfortable pace in life.”

 

You know, just being less busy, less in a hurry.

 

Nice, though less impactful. Its sounds like a more passive approach… letting life happen.

 

But “doing life” sounds intentional and active. And “a more comfortable pace” makes it all the better. Right?

 

Could be. Allow me to shift gears for a moment?

 

Seth Godin’s Blog post today was titled with the question, “Are you in a hurry?” The question felt pointed, whether it was intended to be or not.

 

Why? Because everyone IS in a hurry! And we know that’s not particularly good. Or is it?

 

Maybe. Maybe only sometimes…

 

Seth’s question was inspired by a sign he noticed at an airport café.

 

His take is that being in a hurry is a state of mind.

 

Everyone at the airport is in one of two states: in a hurry, or killing time.”

 

He points out the same thing is true for someone on a commute or at work. “You’re either in a hurry (with all the negative and positive that this state entails) or you’re not.” It would be true for many situations.

 

I won’t swipe his whole post, you can read it here.

 

Seth’s message is… there are of course the negative states of hurriedness (my word), and there are also positive states. States like stepping up the pace to get a project finished or to “avoid getting sidetracked.”

 

Being aware of the difference is the key. He points out two opportunities that stem from a state of hurriedness:

1. Redefine “in a hurry” to be a version of your best self. So that “hurry” isn’t a crutch, an excuse or a bane. It’s an asset.”
2. Turn on “hurry” whenever you need it, and turn it off when you don’t.”

 

How do Erica’s and Seth’s contradictory ideas find a way to play together?

 

I wouldn’t take a shot at Erica’s meme in any way. Believe me when I say, “doing life at a more comfortable pace” is attractive as all get out to me.

 

Here’s how I believe it works out…

 

Sometimes the comfortable pace is a steady marathoner’s stride, or it can be a sprint to the finish on a project with a short fuse. Other times it’s a leisurely stroll along a beach to catch the sunset.

 

Doing life is an active engagement with the appropriate pace for the appropriate, yet intentional moment.

 

Do it at the pace you choose.

 

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