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Letter From The Editor: Slow down, you move too fast

There's evidence to suggest that no society can retain its creative spark without creating space for deeper conversations about the way it takes decisions

Published: Dec 21, 2012 06:35:43 AM IST
Updated: Dec 21, 2012 03:06:30 PM IST

We live in such a fast-paced world that often times there is little room left for thoughtful reflection. Every day, our smartphones are flooded with hundreds of emails, far more than we can process. We’re inundated by messages on Twitter and Facebook. We’re hooked to visuals streaming in from television and now there’s the tablet demanding every waking hour of our time. Each one of us is trying to play catch up with this 24/7 information stream. But it’s a battle we aren’t likely to win. Multi-tasking or simply working longer hours will not help either.

Letter From The Editor: Slow down, you move too fast
Think about it for a moment. In the middle of an important conversation, we’re busy peering into our phones, waiting for the next email or text message to arrive. When was the last time you had dinner at home without the television being on?

What’s the big deal, did you say? Try switching off the Blackberry for a few hours. Force yourself to listen attentively to those around without glancing at your phone even once. Chances are, you’ll struggle to concentrate. Now look around. You’ll find lots of people who suffer from attention deficit disorder—and they don’t even know it. They get easily bored, tend to be terribly impatient, take impulsive decisions or need constant sources of activity.

There’s enough evidence to suggest that no society can retain its creative spark without creating space for deeper conversations about the way it takes decisions. It’s the same logic for business as well. That is why it is a good idea to occasionally switch off from the information stream. We’re trying to do exactly that this month at Forbes India. We’re hoping to slow down. Use this period to create space for reflection. We’re off to an office picnic, followed by a town-hall meeting where we listen to each other’s ideas for next year. And I’m hoping more colleagues start practising yoga regularly as I did last year.

By the time you read this, I’d probably be looking for the best chowmein on Park Street in Kolkata, devouring the delectable mutton biryani at Shiraz and savouring generous helpings of the Ganguram mishti doi (sweetened curd). Kolkata has always been an epicurean’s delight. During Christmas, the city simply turns on its special charm and I’m hoping to help my daughters learn about the city where I grew up.

I do hope you too find yourself amidst family and friends during the days leading up to the New Year, engaging in real conversations that go beyond Facebook and Twitter. Here’s wishing you, dear readers, a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Best,
Indrajit Gupta
Editor, Forbes India
Email: indrajit.gupta@network18online.com
Twitter id: @indrajitgupta 

(This story appears in the 11 January, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

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  • Sachin Joshi

    Sir, Well Said, it indeed feels special when we slow down. this week was one such special week for me (albit forceful one due to health), when i stayed at home, switched off my office laptop, mobile and relaxed. played with my kids, and now am feeling so much at peace. I know, this kind of slowdown is not possible, but i understood the importance of giving self some time...

    on Dec 23, 2012
  • Mohammad

    Well said. One specific problem I find at work is the lack of intensity and passion in output, which I attribute in large part to the fact that people spend too much of their day covering too many tasks to be able to provide proper focus on any one of them.

    on Dec 23, 2012
  • Pallav Kumar

    hello sir, ur views are absolutely right...today is the era where human being are totally depend on all electronic gadgets, without that our life will b blank......on other way we can say that we r not using them but they force us to use them....and so we are pushing away ourselfs from peace towards tension n more tension....but no buddy knows the way to solution for the same...

    on Dec 21, 2012