Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

Slowing Down Now to Speed Up Later

It seems counterintuitive. Slow, by definition, is not fast. So why should we believe otherwise?

The Navy SEALs consistently use the phrase “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” as part of the work they do, which often entails complex operations, incredible planning, and high-stress situations.

When so much is at stake, it is easier to understand why you would value smoothness over speed.

As the video above describes, in a SEAL operation, someone may feel the urge to move very quickly once things get started. You want to jump out of the helicopter and start sprinting to the place you need to be. You may feel like “fast is fast” and want to just move fast.

But if, in one person’s haste, they trip, then the next person will trip, and everyone will either fall or have to slow down until the group can gain their footing and get moving again.

This leads to far worse delays than operating slowly and smoothly from the start. Getting things right in the beginning may require a little extra time, but it results in fewer mistakes and faster work, as it prevents falls and reduces errors.

You can even step back further, since this is just talking about the execution. Planning is just as critical. Before SEALs even begin execution, they are meticulously planning what they are going to do, going through the details, so that they can mitigate the risks, understand the goals, and work through potential problems beforehand. It is always about making everything as smooth as possible so it can be as fast as possible.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

Taking it to Work

Frantic is not Fast

Most of us aren’t part of SEAL teams. So does the same idea apply to us?

Absolutely.

It is easy to believe that frantic is fast. When we are moving quickly and things are happening, no matter what they are, we may feel like we are moving fast. But that is almost never the case.