A Time To Go Fast
On a short walk along the river bank at the Parc del Segre this past week, four canoeing athletes guide their sleek and light carbon racing canoes across the pulsing whitewater rapids just a few meters from where I stand.
These four athletes understand more about going fast than most anyone I know. Each one is a world medalist in the sport of whitewater canoe slalom. One of them happens to be the reigning Olympic champion in her discipline.
And yet, these masters of speed have no reason to go fast. At least not right now.
In fact, without any major competitions on the schedule any time soon and an Olympic Games rescheduled for more than a year from now, too much focus on speed at this moment could become a setback.
So, instead of the usual urgency and intensity that underpins their training sessions, each of these world class performers signal to us that it is ok to:
- Slow down.
- Pace for long term growth.
- Pursue our craft with a sense of enjoyment.
The fastest people I know are not pressured, coerced, or guilted into going fast.
Instead, they strategically choose their moments of speed… which is much easier to do when you practice the art of going slow.
With gratitude, Joe
Connect with Joe:
5 With Joe Performance Coaching
I coach established and experienced professionals, who feel stuck in place, to thrive in transition and bring focus to what matters most without compromising their lives.
My personal experiences winning an Olympic Gold Medal, serving as CEO of a national sports organization, and my current “Simple, Slower, and Less” lifestyle in the Catalan Pyrenees help to form accountable and transformative collaborations that see my clients create their next and most impactful chapter.
