A turtle with a snail on its carapace. A crab hoisting a butterfly. A dolphin wrapped around an anchor. A snake encircling an arrow. A rabbit wearing a snail shell.
What do all of these symbols have in common? They are different representations of festina lente, a Latin phrase that translates to “make haste slowly” or “hurry slowly”.
Wonderful oxymoron, right? I love it!
Festina lente is just the thing we need in our always-on, always crazy-busy world. We are hurtling from one task to the next like headless chickens. Too much work. Too little time. What happens to quality? That’s where this apt philosophy comes in. It reminds us that we must move forward but at a pace that does not compromise the output. Act with a sense of urgency but be deliberate in our actions.
The origin of “festina lente” can be traced back to ancient Rome. The phrase was popularized by the Roman emperor Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD), who used it as his personal motto. According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Augustus was known for his careful and deliberate approach to governing, and he believed that haste could lead to mistakes and missteps.
The phrase is thought to have been inspired by a story from Greek mythology about a famous runner named Atalanta, who won many races by moving quickly and skilfully. One day, Atalanta was challenged to a race by a suitor named Hippomenes. To win the race, Hippomenes used cunning and strategy instead of relying solely on his speed. He dropped golden apples along the racecourse, causing Atalanta to slow down and lose her lead. By taking his time and planning ahead, Hippomenes was able to achieve victory.
Over time, the phrase "festina lente" became a popular Latin proverb and has been used by many philosophers and writers over the centuries to express the idea of making haste slowly.
In our modern lives, we all have so much to do but how do we find the right amount of time and and the right level of effort for each task? How well we do the task is how we will shape the quality of our output and therefore our reputation.
I think about this balance all the time at my work place. At our branding agency, the stress and pressure to ship out work on time is real. I’m always hearing about why the work wasn’t as great as it could have been because there was less time. Is that really an excuse?
What can we have done more slowly in order to speed up the work? A clear understanding and articulation of the problem we are solving perhaps. Better focus by the strategists and designers producing the work. More concentration when curating the work. More preparation before selling the work to our clients. You get the gist of it…slowing down in a few key high impact input areas can vastly influence a high quality output.
There are many famous people who have embraced the philosophy of festina lente throughout history.
Leonardo da Vinci was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his slow, deliberate approach to his work. He once said, "Art is never finished, only abandoned," which reflects his belief in taking the time to perfect his creations.
Mahatma Gandhi was a proponent of nonviolent resistance and believed in taking slow, deliberate steps to achieve social and political change. He famously said, "The future depends on what you do today."
Warren Buffett is the billionaire investor known for his long-term approach to investing and his belief in the power of compounding. He once said, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago," which reflects his belief in the importance of taking slow, deliberate steps to achieve success.
Steve Jobs, the late Apple co-founder, was known for his attention to detail and his relentless pursuit of perfection. He once said, "It's not about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you get it," which reflects his belief in the importance of taking the time to build a strong team and culture.
So how can you can apply this principle to your life?
Take time to reflect
Before making any major decisions, take the time to reflect on your options and the potential outcomes. By hurrying slowly, you'll make more thoughtful choices that are aligned with your values and goals.
Practice mindfulness
By being present in the moment and fully engaged in your current task or activity, you can be more efficient and effective without sacrificing quality. This approach can also help you feel more centred and focused.
Embrace the journey
When pursuing your goals, focus on the process rather than just the end result. By taking small, deliberate steps and savouring each milestone, you can achieve success in a more sustainable and fulfilling way.
Be patient
Rome wasn't built in a day, and many things worth doing take time and effort. By being patient and persistent, you can achieve great things over time.
Festina lente reminds us to balance our desire for progress and achievement with patience, thoughtfulness, and deliberate action. By incorporating this principle into our daily life, we can cultivate a sense of purpose, direction, and fulfilment.
Over to you now:
Are you making thoughtful, deliberate decisions, or are you rushing into things without considering the consequences?
Are you taking the time to reflect on your goals and priorities, or am are you simply reacting to the demands of others?
Are you focusing on the process of achieving your goals, or are you only focused on the end result?