Timing Matters More Than Speed ⏱️
A lot of us (me included) pride ourselves on being highly responsive. But responsiveness and effectiveness aren’t always the same thing.
Here’s a simple exercise to try tomorrow: When a text, DM, email, or phone call comes in, ask yourself:
Does this require a response in:
One minute?
One hour?
One day?
One week?
True emergencies are easy. Respond immediately. But many messages aren’t nearly as urgent as they first appear. And you realize this deep down, but rush it out anyway, out of fear, discomfort, the unsettling feeling of leaving someone or something hanging…
But many – probably most – of these important communications benefit from a pause:
A difficult client email.
A sensitive personnel issue.
A strategic decision.
A frustrating message that triggers an emotional reaction.
In table tennis, seasoned players don’t simply hit every ball as quickly as possible. They understand timing. They know when to speed up the game, when to slow it down, and when to wait for a better opportunity. That definitely applies elsewhere in life.
It may not feel like it sometimes, but you do have a choice of when to respond. Exercise your choice – and enjoy the benefits of timing.
Brought to you by Pong Principle #2: It’s a Rhythm Game.
