{"id":105765,"date":"2023-06-17T21:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-18T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=105765"},"modified":"2023-06-21T09:02:48","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T13:02:48","slug":"how-to-slow-down-in-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-slow-down-in-life\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Slow Down in Life by Gamifying Patience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you feel the need to keep up with everyone else’s fast-paced life? How could you get ahead by actually slowing down?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, <\/em>John Mark Comer explains why we rush through life and how such a hurried pace harms us. He provides recommendations on how to slow down in life<\/a> and, by doing so, get more out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn how to slow down<\/a> your life and discover the benefits that you’ll reap from a slower pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Slow Down in Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to improve your lifestyle, take Comer’s advice on how to slow down in life. He recommends gamifying <\/em>patience: making a joyful game out of slowing down.<\/strong> He says that gamification will motivate you to slow down your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Some research supports Comer\u2019s claim that gamification boosts motivation; for instance, one study found that gamification in classrooms improves motivation and learning<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Comer suggests that you make a game of reducing your phone use. <\/em>Phone addictions make you rush because phones pack your day with meaningless activities (such as fast-paced games and checking social media alerts). Therefore, reducing your phone use through gamification can slow you down and make your life more meaningful. <\/strong>Comer says you can do so by creating phone-related rules and challenging yourself to follow those rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: While Comer discusses how reducing your phone use can slow down your life, he doesn\u2019t explore in depth the connection between phone use and patience. <\/em>Some research suggests that frequent smartphone use is linked to impatience and impulsive behavior<\/a>. However, this research looks at correlation rather than causation\u2014in other words, it doesn\u2019t explore whether impatience and impulsivity cause frequent smartphone use or whether smartphone overuse causes impatience and impulsivity.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comer suggests that you make a game of only engaging with technology during specific, scheduled times. <\/strong>Consider scheduling one time of day when you can check social media and another time when you can check your email. That way, you won\u2019t waste too much time on either action. Comer says you can make this a game by setting ambitious rules and challenging yourself to stick to them\u2014for example, setting the rule that you can only check social media from 5 to 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Comer\u2019s advice on limiting your technology use may be easier to follow with the help of apps that personalize the process of restricting your phone use. For instance, the app Offtime<\/a> creates different modes on your phone, such as a \u201cwork mode\u201d and a \u201cfamily mode.\u201d Each mode allows access to only some<\/em> phone functions at certain times, which may make it easier to use your phone time wisely\u2014for instance, not checking social media when it\u2019s your email-checking time.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Benefits of Slowing Down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How will it benefit you to slow the tempo of your daily life? Comer explains that slowing the pace of your daily life increases your patience<\/em><\/strong>. If you eliminate the pressure of speed, you\u2019ll no longer feel impatient when events in everyday life take a while. Comer insists that increased patience will improve your health<\/a>, relationships, and spirituality. Let\u2019s further explore each of these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, patience helps you feel more relaxed.<\/strong> When you move at a slower pace, you\u2019re less stressed, and this is good for your mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Exercise may be a way to accomplish this same goal. In addition to boosting your physical health, exercise can relax you and support your mental health<\/a>. Physical movement stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals that make you feel relaxed and optimistic\u2014two emotions that also boost your mental well-being.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, when you\u2019re more patient, you treat others better. This improves your relationships.<\/strong> For instance, you won\u2019t snap at your server if they take a while to bring out your food at a restaurant, and you won\u2019t get angry at your child when they take a while to complete their chores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: Learning to be more patient may be particularly important if you\u2019re a caregiver for one or more seniors. Older people sometimes resist caregiving<\/a> because it involves accepting that they\u2019re less independent than they used to be, and managing this resistance requires patience. In addition to following Comer\u2019s advice, you can have patience when caring for seniors<\/a> by 1) offering help rather than making demands, and 2) taking care of yourself <\/em>so you can remain calm and gentle (which keeps your relationship positive) if the senior you\u2019re helping resists some of your efforts.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, patience provides you with opportunities for spiritual contemplation. <\/strong>While you\u2019re waiting patiently\u2014such as standing in a long line at the post office\u2014you\u2019ll have the opportunity to pray to God. This will improve your relationship<\/a> with him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: In addition to increasing the quantity<\/em> of your spiritual contemplation by following Comer\u2019s advice, you may be able to improve the quality<\/em> by being patient with yourself. <\/em>In The Book of Joy<\/em><\/a>, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu describe the ability to pray as a muscle that you need to build. Deep prayer and meditation<\/a> don\u2019t come naturally to most\u2014these types of contemplation take time, effort, and patience.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patience May Also Boost Happiness and Productivity<\/a><\/strong>

In Four Thousand Weeks<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>Burkeman shares Comer\u2019s assertion that it\u2019s worthwhile and possible to gradually increase your patience for slow-paced moments in life, and he adds that increasing your patience in everyday life specifically improves your happiness and your productivity<\/em><\/a>.

First, Burkeman explains that when you no longer expect yourself to be speedy\u2014in other words, when you treat yourself with patience\u2014you free yourself from others\u2019 expectations of you. This freedom boosts your happiness.

Second, he explains that people who are patient avoid rushing through tasks, and in doing so, they avoid burnout. Burnout halts productivity; by avoiding it, you can stay productive.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you feel the need to keep up with everyone else’s fast-paced life? How could you get ahead by actually slowing down? In The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer explains why we rush through life and how such a hurried pace harms us. He provides recommendations on how to slow down in life and, by doing so, get more out of it. Keep reading to learn how to slow down your life and discover the benefits that you’ll reap from a slower pace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":105775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,42,43],"tags":[1068],"class_list":["post-105765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-motivation","category-self-improvement","tag-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Slow Down in Life by Gamifying Patience - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A patient life can improve your health, relationships, and spirituality. 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