As my inaugural post, I have decided to tackle a topic that came up at the Ontario Library Association Conference last week. One of the plenary speakers was Carl Honoré, the author of In Praise of Slow, spoke of our need to question the need for speed. So many of us are tied to our email in case someone needs an instant response, we have things that need to be done and done now. But do they really? Would it really cause a complete and utter catastrophe if I actually *gasp* stepped away from my desk to go for a walk at lunch…..to actually see some sunlight (as an IT type person, I have been banished to the deepest part of the basement).
It is easy to get got up in the nature that is busy whether you are really busy or not. After-all, even those times with no deadline or whatever library crisis has currently hit us, it is still possible to feel busy. I think we learn to thrive on it so that going slow is actually much harder then going fast. It is a fast-paced world and it can feel odd to be out of sync with it. But how much are we missing, how much are we re-inventing needlessly simply because we are going too fast?
Carl Honoré did not mention the phrase dining El Desko but rather that was overheard by yours truly in one of the sessions. It was said during a conversation that was happening behind me somewhere. I have no idea as too its context but as soon as I heard it I immediately wrote it down. I eat at my desk everyday. There really should be a support group for it.
So here is my pledge in praise of slow. I will make a late resolution and try to step away from my desk at lunch at least twice a week (if smokers can cut down gradually…so can I). Be interesting to see what effect it will have (if any) on my work day.
