Make Peace with Pace: Part 2 

We think faster means better, but the truth is the opposite. Rushed work is sloppy work. The American Psychological Association reports that multitasking and task-switching — common side effects of working in a hurry — can reduce productivity by up to 40%. That’s a steep price for speed.

Hurry can actually cost more time in the long run. Research from Stanford found that productivity drops sharply after 50 hours a week, and after 55, additional hours bring no real gains. In other words, pushing harder doesn’t always push you forward. It’s like running with untied shoelaces: you might move quickly at first, but sooner or later, you trip and lose ground.

And the costs aren’t just professional. The Gallup State of the Workplace report shows that 76% of employees experience burnout at least sometimes — a clear sign that constant hurry is unsustainable. Stress doesn’t just drain energy; it undermines our focus, weakens decision-making, and chips away at the satisfaction we get from our work. The American Institute of Stress estimates that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses up to $300 billion each year through absenteeism, turnover, and lost productivity.

The hidden cost of hurry is that it robs us of both quality and joy. Think about the last time you rushed through a project or even a meal. Chances are, you missed details you wish you’d noticed — or the satisfaction of simply being there for the moment. Speed has its place, but when it becomes the default, it takes more than it gives.

Try This:

Next time you feel yourself speeding up, pause. Ask: “Will hurrying actually get me a better result — or just a faster mistake?” Better yet, choose one task this week to do deliberately slower — reading carefully, listening fully, or walking instead of rushing. Notice the difference in the outcome and in how you feel.

Slow isn’t weak. It’s strong. Because sometimes, slowing down is the fastest way to get where you really want to go.

You can find the first part of Make Peace with Pace here.