- Safwan AMM
- 06 October, 2025
Slow Down to Succeed: Why Presence Matters More Than Multitasking
We live in a world that rewards speed. Checking emails while drinking tea, planning tomorrow’s meeting during today’s lunch, scrolling through social media while talking to family. It feels productive, but in reality, it’s stealing our focus, energy, and relationships.
The Cost of Rushing
Research shows multitasking reduces productivity by up to 40%. More importantly, it weakens trust and connection. Imagine a parent half-listening to their child while replying to WhatsApp, or a doctor missing a patient’s real concern because their mind is on the next appointment.
When our attention is scattered:
- The brain’s focus and creativity decline.
- Stress hormones rise, leaving us drained.
- Relationships suffer because people sense when we are “half present.”
The Power of Slowing Down
Slowing down is not doing less. It’s accessing more. Presence activates the body’s natural calm system—lowering stress, sharpening focus, and making space for creativity.
Think of moments when time felt slower: a walk on Galle Face at sunset, sharing tea with a friend, or listening to the sound of rain. That’s presence. In those moments, your brain processes more detail, your body relaxes, and your relationships deepen.
Simple Daily Practices for Presence
You don’t need a meditation cushion. Small daily pauses are enough to transform your energy and relationships.
- Single-task with care – When you make your morning tea, focus only on the tea. The smell, the warmth, the taste.
- Pause at doorways – Before entering a meeting, your child’s room, or even your home, take one deep breath and let go of rushing thoughts.
- Listen with full attention – In conversations, put the phone aside. Listen not just to words but to tone, posture, and emotion.
Real Impact in Work and Life
- Leaders who slow down inspire trust and loyalty.
- Parents who are present notice their children’s unspoken needs.
- Entrepreneurs who pause before decisions make clearer, more creative choices.
When you slow down, people open up. You remember more, miss less, and feel less exhausted at the end of the day—even with a busy schedule.
In Sri Lanka, our culture already has natural “pauses”: drinking plain tea, waiting under a mango tree, saying “ahinsaka” before starting a task. If we practice them mindfully, these pauses can reset stress and enrich both business and personal life.
Final Word
Success is not about rushing. It’s about arriving. When you show up fully—whether with your team, your customers, or your loved ones—you give the most valuable gift: your presence.
Slowing down doesn’t slow your growth. It builds stronger trust, sharper focus, and richer relationships—the real currency of life and business.
