Slow Down to Go Faster: The Paradox of Sustainable Performance

Ever heard the phrase “Slow down to go faster”?
It sounds like a paradox, doesn’t it?

Yet, over the past few months, this very idea has shaped my research — exploring how slowing down can actually enhance performance across leaders, teams, and organisations.

I’m Bhavna Jain, Project Lead at Calm in a Box and as part of my literature review for Calm In A Box’s Doing–Being framework, in collaboration with Sarah Markham and the University of Nottingham, I’ve been diving deep into how modern workplaces have become experts in doing — hitting targets, chasing deadlines, multitasking — often at the expense of being: being present, connected, and reflective.

It’s made me realise how easily we confuse activity for impact.
We measure productivity by output, not by energy, quality, or wellbeing.

What I’ve Learned So Far

Here are a few insights that have really stayed with me:

1️⃣ Performance and wellbeing are not opposites

Teams that consciously manage energy, connection, and awareness achieve more consistent, sustainable results. High performance isn’t about constant speed — it’s about rhythm, balance, and recovery.

2️⃣ Doing needs to be balanced by being

When we stay in constant doing mode, we eventually disconnect — from our purpose, from others, and even from ourselves.
Being helps restore that connection, making our actions more meaningful and impactful.

3️⃣ CALM isn’t about avoiding pressure

It’s about building capacity to navigate it.
The CALM framework — Connection, Awareness, Load, and Motivation — provides practical levers that help leaders and teams manage energy, focus, and resilience in real time.

4️⃣ Psychological energy is measurable and actionable

Using CALM tools, organisations can assess where teams sit on the Doing–Being spectrum and make intentional shifts toward high-quality, sustainable performance — not burnout-driven bursts.

A New Way of Thinking About Success

This project has completely reframed how I think about work and success.
It’s not about slowing down for the sake of it — it’s about creating space for CALM so that momentum is built, not lost.

I’ll be sharing a deeper look into the Doing–Being framework soon, with practical insights for leaders who want to create CALMer, higher-performing teams.

Here’s to more great days at work. 🌿