SARAH MEDCRAF: There can be many positives to taking your time

EARLIER this week whilst we were in the chaos of getting ready for work and nursery/school I said to my son – “Can you put your shoes on quickly, please?”

To which he replied “again!?”

What did he mean again?

As I look down at his socked feet, I dug in to the conversation and my son, in his ever blunt/honest way, told me that I am always in a hurry and always asking for things to be done quickly or with a sense of urgency.

I reflected on this conversation on the drive to work after I’d dropped him off and he was right.

We have plenty of time in the mornings (thanks to my early risers!) and we’re never in a rush and we’ve never not made it on time, so why do I use those words?

Why do I act in a way that is clearly perceived by my five-year-old that I am not in control of our time?

I know I am not the only one, as if some how adding a time pressure layer to our day makes us achieve more… I actually think it’s the opposite.

How many times have you sent an email without that attachment or how many times have you sent something or posted it without re-reading or spell-checking?

Perhaps not as often as me, or maybe you’re in my camp.

This isn’t because I don’t have an attention for detail, it’s because all of the priorities in my day are dictated by a little ticking clock.

Now of course this is a necessity in most roles – even if it is just to clock your start and end time – but those who are in multiple meetings and have caring or other commitments will live by the time.

For me, overall, this is a positive.

It allows me to manage the limited time I do have and prioritise to get the most out of the day.

This includes a (pencilled in) lunch time walk.

Even with a fast walk, this tends to slow my day.

Not the time, no that is never slowing down now, but my day slows because my mind has been given the time slow.

Taking in the fresh air allows you to reflect on the day, not just bounce from meeting, to call, to meeting to event.

This reflection is when you can really compartmentalise, understand your priorities, and make space for new things.

We become too wrapped up in ticking that to-do list or clearing that inbox that we need a reminder to slow down.

Don’t just take my word for it, though.

An article on Harvard Business Review online showed that businesses who ‘slowed down to speed up’ improved both their top and bottom lines by averaging 40 per cent higher sales and 52 per cent higher profits over a three year period.

Above all else, we know our language that we use around our children is important.

It means that unless there really is a need to hurry, I will be making a conscious effort to change my language.

The last thing I need is for my children to think I’m crying wolf!

Sarah Medcraf is chief executive officer of Moray Chamber of Commerce.