Life In the Slow Lane

A few months ago, I was inspired by the Eagles song “Take It Easy.” It was a simple post about, well…making things easier.

The Eagles are still one of my favorite bands, with so many great songs that many of you probably know by heart. Today’s Monday Morning Match is sort of an “anti-inspired” message from their 1976 hit, “Life in the Fast Lane.”

The song paints a picture of the excess and recklessness of the 1970s Hollywood lifestyle: drugs, sex, superficiality, and a couple moving through life at full throttle with little concern for where they might end up.

My weekend was nothing like that.

But I did spend a lot of time thinking about which lane I wanted to be in.

This past week, I drove to Jacksonville, Florida, for the wedding of a good friend’s daughter. I planned the trip so there would be no rush, including a day of golf in Greenville, South Carolina, with an old friend who is a top-selling Realtor with Coldwell Banker.

Apple Maps offered plenty of interstate routes from Columbus, but I chose the more “rural route” through Southern Ohio and parts of West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Driving to Jacksonville the next day, I once again searched for a route that was as rural as possible. Along the way, I passed through towns such as Denmark, Norway, and North, South Carolina.

That’s right. I actually drove through a town called North, South Carolina.

After a wonderful few days celebrating the new couple’s wedding with longtime friends, and retelling old stories for the nth time, possibly somewhat embellished and misremembered, it was time to head home.

Knowing I’m not as good as I once was (a nice way of saying “I’m older”), I decided not to make the entire 13.5-hour drive on Sunday.

Instead, I took my time.

I truly enjoyed “life in the slow lane” most of the day. I stayed within a few miles of the speed limit, passed slower-moving trucks and cars when needed, and stayed out of the way of people who clearly wanted to reach their destination faster than I did.

My gas station stops weren’t rushed. I took leisurely walks at rest areas in South Carolina and Virginia, stretching my tired bones and weak knees.

And I noticed something.

Many of the people who passed me “in the fast lane,” going 80 or 90 mph, ended up just a few cars ahead when we hit traffic jams or thunderous downpours.

One of my favorite quotes from legendary basketball coach John Wooden is:

“Be quick, but don’t hurry.”

Hurrying leads to panic and mistakes, whereas true quickness comes from confidence and preparation.

Pick a Lane

This week, you might accelerate onto the freeway and merge quickly into the fast lane. You’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there.

Calls. Emails. Newsletters. Appointments. Maybe even some closings.

Or maybe you choose to slow it down a little.

Make more meaningful calls. Send personalized emails. Create an organic newsletter instead of using a template. Be purposeful with your appointments.

Sure, listing appointments and Buyer Counseling Sessions would be ideal, but breakfast, coffee, lunch, or happy hour could be just what leads to a future business opportunity.

Dot your i’s. Cross your t’s.

Fill out the forms. Submit the documents. Confirm the wire instructions. Do the walk-through.

Write the thank-you note.

As I was pulling off the freeway for the night to check into my hotel, I thought about all the cars that had flown past me throughout the day. Sure, driving 80 instead of 70 might get you to your destination a little sooner.

But what did you miss along the way?

There will always be people moving faster than you. Making more calls. Closing more deals. Posting more content. Checking more boxes.

Let them pass.

You don’t always have to live life in the fast lane.

Sometimes the best way to get where you’re going is to be quick, but don’t hurry.

Enjoy the scenery.

Life in the slow lane isn’t such a bad place to be.