Rushing is not the same as efficiency

Rumi, the Persian poet, once said, "As you start to walk out on the path, the path appears.”

Who gets there in right timing, the snail or the cheetah?

I was walking down the path the other day when I suddenly realised that a part of me felt as though it was walking ahead of my body. It was as if I wasn’t entirely inside myself. I found this strange, if not shamefully familiar. As I noticed this internal split, I realised my heart rate had elevated, and I could viscerally feel the stress coursing through my veins. I was rushing because I was late, yet I resisted the urge to check the time.

From experience, I knew that looking at the clock would only exacerbate the stress without helping me arrive any sooner. It felt like a form of self-punishment, as though checking the time was saying, “See, we’re even more late than you thought; we will not arrive on time.” But then it hit me: how can I not arrive on time? I will arrive at the time I arrive. And in that instant, I felt that split part of myself returning within.

This wasn’t the first time I’d experienced this split, but it was the first time I was completely conscious of it. I wondered, how often had I been living outside my body? I felt inspired to enquire more and reflect on what was happening in my body that made me feel the need to rush ahead of myself? And to find out who, or what, was trying to pull me back into the present? An inner voice replied saying something about the difference between speed and efficiency and finding a new rhythm, one of moving through life without the push, and instead surrendering to the gentle pull to come back into myself.

Speed vs efficiency, what’s the difference?

Speed is often linked to getting someplace fast, whereas efficiency is about mindfully optimising each and every movement and using your energy wisely, and may or may not get you where you are going faster, but it will get you there on time (I note the oxymoron).

Speed is how fast something is done or how quickly you move from one point to another.

Efficiency is doing something in the best way possible, using the least amount of time or energy to get the best result.

The neuroscience of rushing

We are somewhat wired to rush, and not all rushing, is a character flaw, some of it is our biology. Our autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic branch (fight or flight), activates when we sense urgency, pressure, or a threat. A good sprinter, for example, feels the pressure of reaching the finish line first, however, they are not essentially rushing, they are channelling their energy efficiently into each stride, and yet they are still fast. Similarly, a race car driver doesn’t speed around every turn of the racetrack, rather they slow down and break at the appropriate moments, then speed up again when the path is suitable for it. In both examples it’s the economy of movement, the conservation of energy and the maintenance of rhythm throughout that enables them to arrive at their destination as fast as possible.

For many of us, we do not have to reach the finish line fastest, this is a society misperception fuelled by fear of not achieving enough or fear of missing out. Particularly those with trauma histories, or anxiety-prone temperaments, our systems become chronically addicted to over-engagement. There is a thrill and a sense of being alive living in this fear-stricken state. Thus, our bodies default to speed or panic as a natural feeling, a coping mechanism and even as a form of comfort! Think when you have to reach a deadline, many of us use the deadline as fuel to get the task done, without the stress of the deadline we simply find it impossible to finish the task. Whereas, for others who have stronger parasympathetic regulation, they find it easier to stay grounded and efficient under pressure, pacing themselves elegantly towards the finish line.

So while some of us might glide with calm efficiency, others may sprint hectically because our nervous systems haven’t learned to trust the process, to trust in the flow, and to trust in our innate God-given pace and rhythm (Yes, we all have our own innate rhythm, just like we all have our own unique fingerprint). Don’t for a minute think it’s about laziness or discipline, it’s about our body’s capacity to regulate, self-soothe and trust in a greater power beyond our selves and also trust that our journey is what it will be and that we will arrive at the “place” in right time, and not a moment sooner.

Passeggiata: The Italian art of walking slow

In Italy, the passeggiata is a daily ritual, a slow, meandering walk taken in the late afternoon or early evening. It’s not about exercise, it’s not about getting somewhere. It’s about being present and digesting, both in a physical sense, but also mentally. It’s about being seen, being social, and about viscerally connecting with place. To many of us conditioned for urgency, this stroll feels extremely uncomfortable.

Try walking intentionally slow through a busy city and notice your thoughts, no doubt they are similar to this: Am I in someone’s way? I’m wasting so much time. What might people think of me being so slow? Is someone going to get angry at me?”

Notice your body as you read that: Is it relaxed or tense? Slowness can reveal our incessant attachment to productivity. However, with curiosity we can shift that. Ask your body what it fears in this stillness, what does your mind fear in not rushing? Often, we find that it’s not time we’re chasing, but rather, we are running away from something deeper. Is your body feeling at ease or uncomfortable? If uncomfortable, be curious ask it why it’s uncomfortable. Be gentle, as for many the slowness may feel unsafe.

Great music is not determined by how fast it is

Alan Watts, philosopher, once remarked, “In music, one doesn’t make the end of a composition the point of the composition. If that were so, the best conductors would be those who played fastest. The whole point of the music is the playing of the music. The same is true of life. You don’t live for the sake of arriving at the end, at the goal. Life is the music, not the destination.”

The point being that music, and nature in fact, works at a pace that is aligned and in flow. You never see a flower bloom before its time, how could it? Nor do you see a a blade of grass growing fast, or an eagle trying it’s hardest to soar. Not music, not animal, not nature are fixated on rushing to the goal rather they are at peace enjoying the journey to their arrival. It’s in that flow that meaning, connection, and presence are made possible, which brings greater peace and clarity.

Spiritually, why must we be efficient rather than fast?

Because speed often serves the ego,Efficiency serves the soul.

Speed chases outcomes. It’s fuelled by anxiety, urgency, comparison. It’s the voice that says, “Hurry up, or you’ll miss out. You’re behind. Go faster to prove your worth.”

But spiritually, life is not a race.It’s a practice of presence.

Efficiency, in its deepest sense, is about alignment. It’s moving in rhythm with your inner knowing, with the timing of the universe, not rushing ahead and not lagging behind. It’s about doing what is needed, no more, no less, with care, clarity, and intention.

A spiritual view of efficiency

• It's conservation of energy for the long journey of the soul.

• It’s trusting that what’s meant for you cannot be forced.

• It’s listening deeply and acting only when the moment is ripe.

• It’s choosing harmony, over hustle.

Back to Rumi’s quote, essentially Rumi is saying that our soul has its own speed and the path only opens up as we take the step, but if we step too quickly we become misaligned with the path. Instead move with love (for self), from a space of stillness, or presence (hence the importance of a daily meditation or prayer practice), and have trust in the flow of the process.

Next time you feel rushed, ask yourself:

• Am I doing this because it’s true to my path, or because I fear missing out?

• Am I honouring my energy, or overriding it?

• Am I connected to the deeper why of this action, or just ticking a box?

• Am I fearful of being judged for being different or going too slow?

When we move efficiently, we make space for grace. We conserve our life force. We give room for serendipity and spiritual timing to unfold. And, oh, how I love serendipity, if you want to learn more about serendipity read either of my two favourite books, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, or The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield.

Daily reflective prompt

Take a quiet moment of reflection, morning, evening, or anytime you feel scattered or rushed. Read this prompt and complete this 7-point checklist. Remember, it’s not about perfection, but about curiosity and cultivating greater self-awareness.

7-point alignment checklist

Prompt: Ask yourself, where have I felt most aligned with myself today? Where did I feel I was speeding away and living outside my body?

Remember, next time you find yourself madly rushing about: Efficiency is not laziness or slowness, rather it’s the sacred stewardship of our energy. Be unashamedly you, and walk within your own rhythm and pace, create your own passeggiata.

P.S. During the writing of this article, I ate my morning fruit toast so unconsciously that I hadn’t realised I had eaten it. Yes, this process of being present is an ongoing life-long practice.

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This article is authored by Nicole Sultana, who holds a Post Graduate Degree in Spiritual Care, a Post Graduate Certificate in Business (Marketing), and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports & Exercise. In addition, she is a Certified Therapeutic Sound Practitioner and a Death Doula. Nicole is the founder of Sound Consciousness, a company that offers wellbeing strategies and therapeutic sound practices to help individuals achieve peak performance in their professional lives, sporting endeavours, relationships, and personal aspirations.

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