Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

This is a saying that I heard often during my short stint on Active Duty Army. I never really thought too much about until this past weekend when I was "drilling" with the Washington Army National Guard. I had so much to do that I was doing the whole chicken-with-the-head-cut-off thing. I was forgetting things left and right, rushing around, sweating and speaking in half sentences. Very un-badass. As you know by now, the Badass Woman (BAW) is in control; she remains cool, calm and collected at all times.

Luckily I caught myself early. See, as a BAW it is also highly important to be self aware. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own head and outside circumstances that it happens... we get swept away in a flurry. The key, however, is to examine yourself at regular intervals throughout the day. Take a deep breath every hour or so and ask yourself, "In this moment, am I being the person I want to be? Am I portraying the right image, taking the right actions, and thinking the right thoughts?" If there are any "no's" in your responses, then fix it! Immediately!!

Now, sometimes it can be hard to snap yourself out of the world inside your head. That is why it is helpful to have real-life triggers to bring you back to the present and aware of the person you are portraying. For me, some of my triggers are as follows:

-If anyone asks me if I'm okay, I know that I am not coming across as the strong and powerful woman that I am.

-If my heart rate is accelerated even though I'm not in the middle of physical training or any nerve-racking challenge, I take a few breaths and focus on moving calmly and deliberately.

-If I forget simple things, I make sure to take a few moments to organize my priorities in writing and reexamine my to-do list.

-If I am harried and rushing, and it's only 10:00 in the morning, I take the time to plan my day out step by step instead of trying to do ten things at once. If something new comes up, I take the time to re-prioritize and then move on from there.


Like I said, it's all about self-awareness. If at anytime throughout the day you realize that you do not feel good, figure out the problem and fix it! Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. If you are so rushed that you can't think straight, whatever you are doing is going to get screwed up one way or another. So slow down, move deliberately, and blow the competition away through the power of sheer focus and determination.