GON Reader Question
Is It More Important to Get Things Done or Get Them Done Fast?
My husband and I have been engaged in friendly banter on the answer to
this question: Is it more important to get things done...or get them done fast? I personally think it's more important to get things done, even if they take a bit long to accomplish. He thinks it's more important to get things done fast, because life is short and time is money. LOL! What are your thoughts?
Gia in Helena, MT
Response from Maria Gracia
Thank you so much for reaching out with your question. It made me smile. It's not everyday that I get philosophical questions about organizing!
In response, it’s easy to feel the pressure to get things done quickly. However, I truly
believe that the quality and completion of a task are more important (in most cases) than the speed at which it's accomplished.
Let's say you are typing a letter to someone and you get it done in three minutes. That may seem wonderful and productive. But,
not so much so if you were rushing so much that you ended up with tons of typos in that letter.
Or let's say you assemble a table 20 minutes that was supposed to save 40 minutes. Sounds great and is...unless you missed steps and the table collapsed shortly after.
Taking your time allows you to be thorough, ensures fewer mistakes, and often results in a more satisfying outcome.
Everyone has their own rhythm. What might take someone else a short time might require more from you, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to focus on personal progress and not compare your pace to others. The joy and sense of accomplishment you feel when a task is done well can be incredibly rewarding.
That said, there’s always room for little tricks to be more productive if you'd like to get everyday things you do all the time handled in less time. Streamlining routines, using checklists, and breaking tasks into smaller steps can make a big difference. Sometimes, a few tweaks here and there can save you precious minutes without compromising on quality.
Hope this perspective sparks another fun dinner table conversation.
