008. "Slow Business" - Embracing a Sustainable Approach to Business Growth

Welcome to SLOW BIZ… aka the slow business movement. Not the most thrilling title, I know.  

There’s a common theme in our culture that bigger, stronger, faster is always better. “Move fast and break things” is a moniker in the world of Silicon Valley startups. 

I often succumb to the  pressure that my business, finances, and life goals aren’t progressing quickly enough. I want it all, and I want it all now.

I sound like a whiny baby…

Where does this pressure come from? I’d argue much  of it is internal. I’ve always been an internally motivated person, as I’m sure many of you are too. You’re a go getter, you make stuff happen,  and live by the “quota is just a baseline” mentality. 

I’ve also realized how much of this pressure comes from outside my own persona. I see someone on social media who bought a business and is crushing it financially. I think I gotta do that!

I see someone who bought a town and I think… I need to buy an abandoned town! 

I see someone crushing it in my realm of land investing and I think…why am I not at that level?

I see friends taking lavish vacations and I think…can I afford to do that? 

This blend of internal motivation mixed with the outside pressures of social status creates a potent mix, telling us growth isn’t occurring fast enough. 

I’m constantly having to push this feeling aside and remind myself of a few things: 

• We’re all on unique journeys and timelines, with different starting points and different end goals

• Everything worth having takes time to achieve

• Enduring success requires a solid foundation built on time and effort

• Bigger isn’t always better

• Stronger isn’t always optimal

• Faster isn’t always desirable 

Author of Deep Work and Slow Productivity, Cal Newport utilizes the Slow Productivity strategy, which emphasizes prioritizing quality work over quantity to prevent burnout and ensure sustained productivity over time. 

This perspective has reshaped how I view my business and path to success. It’s not about the quick wins today; it’s about consistently stacking wins over a long time horizon.

If you want wins in the short term, focus on intensity. If you want to win in the long run, focus on consistency. 

Slow biz, slow health, slow money, slow relationships…slow is not only acceptable, but I’m starting  to prefer it, as it prioritizes longevity and certainty over flash in the pan success. 

The slow way may not feel cool and it’s definitely not trendy now, but success never goes out of style. Stay the course.