We live in a fast-paced world. But sometimes working slower is better. This is called ‘eufriction’. It means that a little resistance can be good. In the past, efficiency experts like Frederick Winslow Taylor thought everything had to be done as quickly as possible. But when we slow down a bit, we think more carefully about what we are doing. Just as exercising strengthens our muscles, working slower strengthens our thinking.
With eufriction, you consciously take more time. For example, when taking notes or planning something. By working calmly, you better understand what you are doing. You are not overwhelmed by too much information. You not only learn new things but also truly understand them. This way, you can actually use what you learn.
In short: when you work more calmly, you often do your work better. By not rushing, you have time to think. This not only leads to better results but also makes the work more enjoyable. You can also sustain it longer.
Related:
- Do the right thing, in the right way, and at the right moment
- Reserve quality time for reading; only with full attention can you make the shift from ‘reading for information’ to ‘reading for knowledge’
- Keep essential information in your mind so you can access it quickly without having to look it up
- Messy work environments have no effect on either creativity or executive functions
- Spend a little attention on planning and organizing your tasks, but not more than necessary; then, get to work
- Although time pressure makes us work faster, it does not automatically mean we work better
- Use AI to reduce unnecessary difficulties, not to avoid essential effort
