Is Twice as Fast Twice as Good?
Do you ever wonder: if I could do this task twice as fast, I could hurry up and move on to the next thing.
Or do you ever want to push someone else to hurry up because you think they’re taking too long?
There are a lot of products out there who’s sole mission is to help us do everything twice as fast. Like speed reading, for example!
Today I have a different idea. What if instead of trying to do everything twice as fast… we try to do half as many things.
We might enjoy the process. We could do a better job. We could see things we wouldn’t even notice. I walked by this kindergarten a few days ago. All of these tiny bicycles were locked up in a row.

So is twice as fast twice as good?
Let’s say there are two brothers. One cleans his room twice as fast as the other. His mom is thrilled at his dedication to really go in there and get the job done. Meanwhile, the other brother is taking for-ev-er. It could be that the first brother stuffed everything into the closet in a heap while the second brother put each item in its proper bin. Or the second brother could be enjoying the process and playing a little as he goes. They’re kids, so it’s tough to say!
All I know is that if their mom goes and opens the first brother’s closet, she’s not going to be as pleased with him any more. He was rushing. Let’s just be thankful he wasn’t the plumber that just came and fixed your sink!
There’s a lot to be said for the benefits of slowing down, enjoying the journey, and doing a good job.
What do you think?
* * * * * * * * * *
I’d also like to send an enormous thank you for all of your kindness. The new shop, Gadanke, is starting off so perfectly. I promise to respond to all of your emails, and later I’ll answer some of the most frequent questions you’ve had in a blog post right here.








May 6th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Since I gave birth to my son, I seem to do things slower…imagine that! I just want to remember every.single.moment with him so we take our time together and enjoy ourselves (in between laundry-cooking-cleaning that is)
Sth irrelevant: Have u seen this:
http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2010/small-cool-kitchens?utm_source=Kitchn+Weekly+Email&utm_campaign=b1901ecf65-Kitchn_Email&utm_medium=email
I saw it and your teeny tiny kitchen came to mind!
May 6th, 2010 at 10:19 am
I agree totally. That’s my philosophy on my blog http://www.paringdown.com
I decided I was doing too much, too fast, too sloppily, and not really enjoying my life.
I’m keeping the best parts of my life and shedding the crapque out of the rest.
My latest endeavor is commuting by bike the 6 miles to work. Yesterday I saw a bunny hopping through a field – I would never have noticed as I sped by in my car!!!
Cheers,
Laura
May 6th, 2010 at 11:28 am
I babysit a 2 year old and a 5 year old during the day. Thursday we usually drive three miles to the library and quickly run some errands in the process. Today, since it was such beautiful weather, I decided to put the kids in the stroller and walk there, forgetting about the extra errands. It was a great decision! We talked the whole way about little things (birds, squirrels, creeks) and big things (tornadoes, God) and had a nice snack, too. So, slowing down is never a bad thing, in my opinion!
May 6th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
I’d say twice as fast isn’t twice as good if the quality of the work is cut in half and I will need to redo it later. For the most part, I don’t think twice as fast is any better except when a tip/technique/tool will help me get an unpleasant job done quickly so I can spend that time on things I do enjoy, but (see previous statement.)
I find it comical the people who always seem to be in a big rush, hurry, hurry without having any reason for it.
May 7th, 2010 at 5:42 am
Your example of the two brothers made me laugh. Growing up I shared a room with my sister, and her cleaning stratagey was exactly like the first brothers — everything was crammed into the closet or under her bed. (Come to think of it, I think she still does that.) Anyway, it used to make me mad, but now it makes me smile. Thanks for the memory…..