Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Sometimes, the Rat Race Doesn’t Matter

We’re consistently told to do more, learn more, finish more and accomplish a whole list of things by a certain age. These messages are toxic and mount excessive pressure on today’s workforce. Being told that we’re inadequate and dispensable unless we’re churning out work constantly does a number on your mental health.

The corporate world is and always has been competitive and cutthroat, but now, it’s even more so. This is evident in mental health problems being at an all-time high among workers. What’s worse, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

You’re Your Only Competition—So Give Yourself a Break

It’s easy to get caught in a whirlwind of terms like progress and success, blinded by what’s happening on the road to these arbitrary destinations. Each of us has unique standards for success in our heads, and sometimes those standards are unrealistic, superficial, unattainable or purely circumstantial.

Not everybody was destined to become the CEO of a powerful corporation, the same way not everyone was born to be the greatest artist in the world or a bestselling author. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the truth.

The good news, however, is that it doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. Hard work, perseverance, dedication and skill can take us from point A to point Z. You don’t have to be the only one or the best—it’s not a bad thing to be good enough. The pursuit to be the best can actually be detrimental if it comes at the expense of your mental, physical and emotional health.

Here’s the secret, though: you matter. You come first. Corporate cultures need to be challenged and questioned in order to accommodate the individual. Speaker Hall of Fame inspirational keynote speaker Steve Gilliland says, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”
―  DETOUR: Navigate Life’s Turns

Feeling challenged is healthy, but corporate cultures romanticize ‘the grit’ to the point of no return. So many people are suffering. They’re sacrificing their personal and professional relationships, health and wellbeing trying to chase paper and power. They’ll give up spending time with loved ones to stay back at work and impress their boss; they’ll bring down coworkers and hinder their success; they’ll ignore their body telling them it needs a break. For what? To be seen as a more viable worker in a system that doesn’t care about who you are as an individual.

Remember: slow and steady wins the race. Prioritize your mental and physical health, and demand better from your workplaces. There’s plenty of proof in your favor.

To hire professional keynote speaker and best-selling author Steve Gilliland, get in touch with him here.