Move Fast, But Don’t Rush: The Balance Between Action and Reflection

Table of Contents

• Fast vs. Rushed
• The Smart Speed Formula
• Common Speed Traps
• Sustainable Speed System

Fast vs. Rushed

• Fast: Deliberate velocity with purpose and direction
• Rushed: Frantic activity without strategic thinking, sacrificing quality for speed illusion
• High speed in wrong direction wastes more than slow speed in right direction
• Context determines when to accelerate vs. when to slow down

The Smart Speed Formula

• Preparation: Front-load thinking, create systems for repeatability
• 70% Rule: Act when 70% confident rather than perfect information
• Quality Standards: Define “good enough” for different contexts, avoid false speed-quality choice
• Strategic Patience: Know when slowing down creates better long-term outcomes

Common Speed Traps

• Busy Trap: Confusing activity with progress, optimizing for looking important
• Perfectionism Paradox: Using perfection as disguised procrastination
• False Urgency: Creating artificial deadlines, reacting to urgent but unimportant demands
• Burnout Speed: Unsustainable pace that creates eventual slowdown and recovery debt

Sustainable Speed System

Two-Speed System: Alternate between fast execution and slow thinking modes Minimum Viable Action: Start with smallest step that creates progress Sprint-Recovery Cycles: Intense periods followed by reflection and integration Speed Intelligence: Develop judgment for when speed helps vs. when it hurts

Resources: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman for speed decision-making. Deep Work by Cal Newport for sustainable intensity. Getting Things Done methodology for systematic action.