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I wrote last month about the slow revolution that is rapidly spreading around the world.

Slow eating. Spending time with people. Pressing the button at the pedestrian crossing... once. Keeping the lift open for the next person. Letting another driver into the traffic flow. Engaging in small talk with strangers. Going home a little earlier.

I have been reflecting on the slow philosophy and have come up with two practical applications – TIE and BWYA.

TIE is ‘take it easy’. Here are my TIE tips.

• Put some slower, soothing music in your car, ipod, MP3.
• Drive slower – you’ll get there at the same time and arrive relaxed.
• Ignore the occasional feral driver.
• Be patient when kept waiting – take a book with you everywhere.
• Eat slower and sit down when eating.
• Check your email twice a day, not constantly.
• Turn off your mobile when you don’t want to be disturbed.
• See how long you can think about nothing.

BWYA is ‘be where you are’. Here are my BWYA tips.

• Be aware of your surroundings – observe rather than distract yourself with other thoughts.
• Stay in the present – it’s hard to worry about the present.
• Focus on what people are saying to you and how they are saying it.
• Pay attention to the beauty around you (I recently say a large green frog and was fascinated by the shades of green).
• Become a people watcher, especially a face watcher.
• See how long you can enjoy something without analyzing the experience.

Try watching a spider or ant at work without being fascinated. The spider’s web is several times stronger than steel for the same thickness. Why don’t ants get lost?

Finally, do something slowly that you usually do fast. Eating, driving, typing, speaking, brushing your teeth. Also engage in small talk with strangers or associates. Spend your time slowly and wisely. Rushing leads to mistakes and corrections. Do it once and do it well. Of course, there are some things that you will need to do fast but just try doing more things slowly.

I remember watching a visiting women’s softball team playing a local team. I was so impressed with a player that took her time to pick up the ball and prepare to throw to first base while the batter was running frantically towards first base.The player seemed to have plenty of time despite the shouting of the crowd and her team. She paused with her throwing arm cocked, momentarily frozen. The runner was almost home when the short stop threw with all her strength and accuracy. Everything had been slow except for the lightning fast throw. No hurry. Slow then very fast.

Let me know If you are looking for a speaker for your conferences, meetings or training sessions for 2006. My website is a good source of information on how I can help you organization. I can help with Influencing Skills – Getting what you want, presenting to an audience, delighting clients, keeping yourself motivated and energized or.....slowing down.