So come the storms of winter
And then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?

 Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention

I was struck recently by an advert for a 'slow watch'. The marketing was predictably awash with soft focus idyllic scenes and gentle music. The slow watch has only one hand and a 24-hour dial. It promises to release you from your obsession with seconds and minutes. It claims to give you a new perspective on time. It's marketed at busy and stressed executives.

This got me thinking about our relationship with time. In my 'Leading with Presence' workshops leaders often share their constant feeling of there being 'never enough time'. They describe constantly watching the clock. They talk about the experience of coming to the end of one task whilst mentally preparing for the next one, always rushing to move on.

These leaders notice that even though they don't like this 'always on' mode of leading they appreciate the adrenaline rush that accompanies the action of crossing things off their list.

When I introduce the practice of 'slow leadership' to them, it can feel counter intuitive.

Kirsten Garbini has explored this practice. She explains that slow leaders 'are mindful, and fully present to every moment'. The leaders she has observed 'start close in with the fire of their own consciousness'. and draw on this to lead with wisdom, authenticity and presence particularly at times of uncertainty.

In effect, they achieve greater influence and impact in the time they have.
Worth exploring?

How Mindfulness can help.

Obviously we can't change time, but we can influence our experience of it. Time slows down when we intentionally practise living in the moment. Time stretches out when we are present.

Here are some simple practices - why not try just one as an experiment in 'slow leadership' and see what happens?

Single-task don’t multi-task.
In truth multi-taking doesn't exist - we merely switch rapidly from one task to another, and as research has shown, are more distracted when we do. As a result we make more mistakes. We are more efficient and effective when we attend to one thing at a time, with our full attention.

Be present. 
|As best you can, bring your full awareness to each task or action, noticing your sense of touch, smell, sound. When your mind wanders back to the to-do list, or this afternoons meeting, gently redirect your attention back to the task at hand.

Breathe fully. 
Periodically throughout the day, pause and take a few full, deep, deliberate breaths perhaps counting 'in - out' or 'rising - falling' as you breathe. Keep your attention on the breath until your heart rate slows down and you feel a sense of spaciousness in the body. Then carry on.

Slow down a conversation
As school leaders, we have many of our conversations at speed. Try taking one of these conversations and slowing it down slightly, allowing pauses and silence, giving time and space for others to speak, resisting the urge to interrupt. This will help us feel more fully connected with the individual or group we are engaging with and will most probably lead to a better outcome.

Recognise time suckers
Recognise what not only distracts you but sucks away at time. Continuous scrolling creates a 'speediness' in mind and body and reduces our ability to concentrate. Facebook, Tik Tok, and Twitter are addictive. Make a deliberate choice to spend say 5 minutes scrolling and set a timer. It's a habit we can break if we choose to.

Savour the moments that matter
Orient toward that which brings you joy and for which you are grateful. When you notice these moments, pause and savour the experience. Let’s not take these small moments for granted. As Jon Kabat Zinn says ‘the little moments, they aren’t little, they are everything’.