Increase speed - decrease reaction time

Our son has his driver's permit. We are, therefore, doing things such as keeping from putting our foot through the floorboard to help him stop, or grasping at the dashboard to hold on while we pull into traffic.

He's a great driver, really. And we're blessed.

But one thing I've noticed as a parent to a child's driving training: the faster you go, the less your reaction time. If I am going 35 miles per hour and a deer jumps out in front of me, I am more likely to make the necessary adjustments to avoid a collision. Try that at 65 miles per hour and it's near impossible.

Same is true in life. When I am rushing from task to task at a fevered pitch, I am more likely to miss certain opportunities or make necessary adjustments to serve with effectiveness. So, the next time you're tempted to go full out all day, stop. Think...

At what pace can you truly Serve Strong?

Comments

[Franz]

There's been a study done a few years back where they found that weren't it for the much, much shorter reaction time (there it is again!) of paramedics, the much better training and tools emergency doctors nowadays have at their disposal, the ubiquity of alarm equipment and, last no least the much better passenger protection in modern cars then, at the current rate of road accidents there would be bloodshed on the roads and highways every years equalling a small war. So really people are overestimating their abilities that really they should attribute to their guardian angels in technical disguise.

[Scott Couchenour]

Interesting take on the technical "guardian angels." I suppose, although much bloodshed is prevented due to the devices and protections, we could be lulled into a false sense of security. We think we can go faster and faster (and we DO get away with it for the most part.)

The original post is to highlight the downside of living a life in the "fast lane" without a long view in mind. How much effectiveness is missed when we approach life without pace!

Thanks for your insights.