Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast – What it Means and How to Leverage it ?

The road of life is paved with many steps. At each step, one must do critical analysis, work hard, think about the situation, and proceed slowly in order to appreciate the value of moving smoothly but slowly. The phrase “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” is a well known expression that originated with the Navy Seals. When will discuss how this phrase came into existence later in the article.

What Does Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast Mean?

What does it mean when you say that slow is smooth and smooth is fast? Actually, it signifies that mistakes are made when moving quickly. Therefore, the secret to going fast is to proceed slowly enough to make sure that everything goes as planned.

The same phenomenon is used in various life situations. When we are busy, we occasionally strive to finish our work quickly. However, we make a lot of mistakes in the process and it takes a lot of time to correct them. So you must move slowly in order to keep yourself safe and perform as planned. It is in our tendency as humans to constantly refine our methods for one fourth at a time, with a greater emphasis on short-term optimization than long-term optimization. 

Fast is fine but accuracy is everything

WYATT EARP

We believe that the quickest route to success will enable us to achieve success quickly; yet taking this route often results in the loss of all of our resources due to numerous errors and mistakes. Do you believe that moving quickly while losing all concentration and productivity at work is the proper course of action? No, in my opinion; we should have to engage critical thought before moving fast.

The Origin of Slow is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast

The Navy Seals are the source of the profound proverb slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. The navy seals utilize this expression to encourage their trainees to make snap decisions but they still need to move slowly by exercising critical thought. The navy seal squad makes an effort to complete tasks quickly without interrupting the natural flow.

With people, slow is fast and fast is slow

DR STEPHEN R. COVEY

Applying the principle of “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” to daily life. In many areas of life, such as owning a business, you must carefully consider your actions. If you move too quickly, you’ll lose business and annoy your employees with unnecessary repeated directives. In such situation, you business will affect negatively.

We ought to be forced to develop time management skills and relaxation techniques whether we are managing a firm, a team and heading a family. Since everything takes time, nothing can be done in a matter of seconds. Make an effort to complete tasks accurately, efficiently by moving slowly but effectively.

What is the Importance of Moving Slowly?

Moving slowly indicates that you must do your work with greater precision and correctness, not that you have gotten lax in your approach. By moving slowly, you force yourself to focus on the results of your efforts.

Learning from well-known tale of the tortoise and the rabbit, never try to minimize the value of going slowly. The turtle understood the value of moving slowly; therefore even though he was moving extremely slowly, he was persistent in trying to reach his goal. The rabbit, on the other hand, ignored the necessity of going slowly but was in favor of moving very quickly, which caused him to lose the race in the end.

Success Needs Time and Attention

Nothing in life can be accomplished with just a small bit of work or by believing that we are experts who can do any task quickly. Keep in mind that success in life requires time, more energy, a positive attitude, and a goal-focused thought. If you find yourself failing repeatedly while attempting to reach your goals, don’t be terrified of it. Consider carefully what errors you are making as you rush to finish the task. Once you’ve realized what you’ve done wrong, strive to move more smoothly by remembering that slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Why Philosophy of Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast is so Powerful?

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast is itself a proverb with such a rich and magnificent significance. Just consider it, the saying “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” refers to doing things smoothly. The greater care and precision can only be attained in work when we are more consistent, focused, and work slowly with full attention. We must invest some time if we want things to go well.

Nothing is impossible in life, but our ability to succeed relies on how much time we devote to our work. This old proverb which has been used as an analogy by sailors for years states that we need to move slowly. It’s generally assumed that if the sailors moved the ship too quickly, it would become unstable and capsize or be thrown off course by waves.

Patience is a Virtue

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast truly refers to the proper way of doing things to get the desired outcome. Take your time to complete tasks carefully without avoiding your duties. If you want to go about things correctly, use patience and attempt to ignore all of your other interests in order to concentrate on your aim. You are not hurrying your work or your education when you proceed slowly. You actually take your time and investing time into your work.

Smooth in this context refers to consistency. Recognize that productivity requires careful work or effort. When acting, you should take great care and act morally at all times. Once more, you should exercise patience and move cautiously while keeping in mind the value of doing so. Even though working slowly takes a long time, the results of your effort will be fantastic.

Ways to Develop the Habit of Moving Slowly

People want to be successful immediately. However there is no such thing as overnight. You have to go through the process which may be smooth or filled with constant bumps. But remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Here, we’ll give some great advice that will encourage you to move appropriately and slowly.

1. Plan Your Goals by Thinking Critically

Do you currently have any long term goals? Do you achieve your business goals? Are you driven to properly realize your dreams? If so, you should make a proper plan for reaching your goal. Never attempt to achieve success by taking a short route since the road to success is always paved with obstacles. Nobody in the past or present has found success by simply sitting and pondering while resting one hand on the other.

The secret to success is hard work with consistency. But everything took time. If you try to accomplish your goals quickly, you will fail and have to accept your failure. It is a universal truth that in order to attain significant goals in your life, you must be persistent, patient, and have a positive perspective.

Slow is steady. Steady is smooth. Smooth is fast. Fast is deadly.

Laurell K. Hamilton

 A solid plan will help you complete tasks quickly. Your day might easily go awry if you don’t have a plan. Just consider how we can properly complete the tasks we have on the weekend if we arrange our week’s tasks. On the other side, if we make rash decisions, we won’t be able to do our task by the deadline since we won’t see it until it’s too late. Instead of letting yourself become easily distracted, try to maintain your attention or stay constant. Keep you focus on your task at hand. There is no need to rush your assignment if you are learning anything new for the first time. Instead, give yourself the chance to accomplish it slowly but correctly.

2. Relax Your Mind by Thinking that Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

Failure is not an embarrassment. We sometimes have to undertake challenging tasks but because we strive to accomplish them quickly, we repeatedly fail. Do you believe that you may fulfill your dreams in a matter of days? I don’t believe it is achievable since you need to work hard, make slow efforts, and go smoothly down the route of your success plan in order to realize your dreams. When anything is taking a long time, learn to relax. You can also benefit from a slow-moving habit if your life suddenly slows down.

Sometimes, we find it difficult to relax. Due to impatience, we begin to believe that we are incapable of completing the task. However, in that circumstance, you should be forced to consider consistency, productivity and long term success. It is difficult to reach your goals with impatient attitude; concentrate more intently, work more efficiently, and move slowly and smoothly. You will start making more efforts to accomplish your goals if you consider these optimistic thoughts. Try relaxing your mind if you want to complete tasks quickly because doing so will help you be more productive. When you begin to calm your thoughts, you won’t ever lose concentration while working.

3. Examine Your Progress on Every Step

Do you believe that your efforts are sufficient to accomplish your goal? Are you making the enough progress? When you fail to reach your goal, try to think about these questions. When you take the time to monitor your progress, you may sometimes be able to observe that things are not progressing as successfully as you would like. Keeping a close eye on the situation can help you complete your work far more effectively. You must constantly set aside more time to review your work. Make sure that that all you did was right or make necessary changes if required. This will assist you in fixing mistakes or accessing any outstanding work.

When I look fast, I’m not smooth and I am going slowly. And when I look slow, I am smooth and going fast.

alain prost

Sometimes we work without monitoring our progress because we believe we are experts at what we are doing. However, in that circumstance, you eventually feel or know that your efforts are insufficient. You start to lose hope. For instance, if a new project arises, your boss discusses it and informs you of what has to be done. You then need to monitor your progress on the project. If you believe that you cannot do any task, don’t panic. Take some time to try to think about that task critically. You may be able to find a way to do it.

4. Recognize the Importance of Time

‘Time flies by’ is the best proverb to describe how fast time passes. Life is short. Consequently, we must consider our activities carefully at every turn as to whether or if our efforts will be enough to reach our future aims. We are all aware that there is a limited amount of time, yet occasionally we forget the importance of time. It becomes challenging for someone with a hectic schedule to find time for anything other than work.

 Therefore, we need to learn the ability to manage time effectively. Make an effort to modify your habits so that you can spend more time with your family and friends. Try to eat healthily and engage in more exercise. You will observe that your tasks are moving along extremely smoothly once you start managing your time. Your change in lifestyle and work-life will lead to mental serenity that give nourishes your spirit to work effectively. Remember that life requires variety and fast is not always effective.

5. Set Deadlines for Each Task

Setting a timer might be an excellent way to complete tasks slowly rather than hurriedly. Try moving more slowly to complete a task. Set a time limit for your work by moving at your own pace and taking your time. For instance, if you believe that you should be able to complete an assignment in an hour, then assign one hour to that assignment in your schedule. As a result, you should strive to complete your assignment in an hour without wasting any time. If you want to finish this activity in an hour, never strive to finish it in less time at the cost of quality. Doing so may lead to a lot of mistakes in your work.

Try using a timer and concentrate on the work at hand. Instead of speeding through each task, extend the time for each one. Take your time and do things right by taking your time in consideration.

Conclusion

Our attempts to succeed are positively impacted by following the mantra of ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” If you want to achieve your goals, try moving more cautiously and slowly. Life is itself a journey, not a destination. We can enjoy this journey by going slowly and paying attention to the obstacles standing in our way of achievement.

Summary: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

• Move slowly yet attentively if you want to succeed in life.
• The road to success in life is filled with numerous obstacles; therefore we must proceed cautiously in order to overcome them.
• This proverb’s deep meaning offers a greater understanding of moving slowly to accomplish your goals.
• You should practice the  patience and mental relaxation techniques to proceed slowly in any situation.
• Since life is a journey and not a destination, you must tread carefully at every turn in order to attain your goal.