This past weekend, while in Maine, my wife and I went for a long walk through the woods to the local country store. Upon arrival, we saw a crowd of about 40 people, and about a dozen old Ford Model A’s parked in the road. Curious, we asked a bystander what was going on. He told us that a local man, Ryan Tebo, had taken a month long drive down Rt 66 in a 1929 Ford Model A, and was expected to arrive home any minute. His family, friends, fellow antique car owners, a few local reporters (and now, my wife, dog and me) were all there to greet him.
In a time where we barely take a moment to breathe, Ryan’s slow, old-time trip down Rt 66 – and his warm welcome home – was a reminder that it’s OK to slow down every once in a while. Here’s why:
- Enjoy the scenery more – At a maximum speed of 45 MPH, Ryan had the opportunity to really take in the sights and sounds along the road – something we often forget to do when the pedal is to the medal.
- Catch some attention – Sometimes, going slow can cause others to jump off the train and opt for a faster ride. But, if you do it with grace, style and individuality, you may attract a lot of interest in your journey.
- Make new acquaintances – With many fueling, maintenance, tourism and rest stops along the way – and a car that turned heads – Ryan got to meet, make friends with, and get help from people he’d otherwise never know. When you take the time to engage with others along the way, you gain greater support.
- Reduce the risk of overheating – When going fast for an extended period of time, the risk of overheating (or, more to the point, “burn out”) is high. Well, so is going slow in 110+ degree weather in a 1929 car. But, stopping to take lots of water breaks (for Ryan and his 1929 radiator) can help prevent such disaster.
- Gain greater appreciation for what you have – Perhaps the best part of this event was watching Ryan get out of his car, hug his mom and see his dog excitedly jump up and lick him endlessly. You often appreciate what you have (and vice versa) even more after it’s been gone for a while.
Even though the road was slighter slower that usual, Ryan still got where he was going – and the ride certainly seemed much more gratifying. While life can sometimes feel like race, it’s OK to slow down every once in a while. We’ll likely all be better off for doing so.
Jeff Freedman
CEO/Managing Partner
Small Army | Finn Partners