Efficiency vs Presence: Why slowing down might help you do better work

We exist in a culture that applauds speed. From batch‑cooked meals and always‑on notifications, to every hour of the day being filled. We’ve absorbed the message that getting more done in less time means we’re doing better. That faster is progress.

And yet, there’s something quietly shifting in us when we live this way for too long. We tick off the tasks, and the day ends. But we can still feel distant from ourselves, from the people in front of us, from what actually matters.

That gap you’re sensing? It’s the absence of presence.

Ironically, it’s often the very tool we reached for to create room * efficiency * that erodes that connection.

Efficiency isn’t the enemy... but it can become your default

Let’s be honest: striving to be efficient is not a flaw. In caring professions, in business, in the demands of life, efficiency does actually help. It keeps the day moving. It honours our commitments and it gives us the chance to breathe.

Yet efficiency is inherently about speed. It searches for fewer steps, streamlined processes, shortcuts that get the job done. Over time that momentum can shape how we show up- not only in our work, but in how we talk to ourselves, how we relate, how we rest.

And when this becomes the default, presence gets pushed aside.

Presence invites the opposite. It asks us to slow. To pay attention. To arrive in what is. It asks us to invest in the moment rather than optimise it.

Often, it’s the less efficient path. In fact, sometimes it feels almost inconvenient.

Navigating the tension between getting it done and really being there

Consider the last time you got through something quickly. Maybe you answered a colleague while half‑listening, or you ate lunch while checking emails. You completed the task, but did you feel grounded? Did you really connect?

Presence requires a different kind of energy- the kind that doesn’t rush toward completion, but stays in the space. It asks us to pause before replying, to sense what’s here rather than move past it, to sit with silence instead of filling it.
These moments rarely look “productive” on the outside. They don’t always deliver immediate results, and yet, they often deliver something far deeper: connection, insight, authenticity.

Especially in roles where you hold space for others- coaches, therapists, health professionals, leaders, presence is where the deeper work lives.

How do we make space for presence when speed feels compulsory?

If you’ve ever felt torn between “I should keep up” and “I want to slow down”, you’re not alone. Many of us who care deeply and carry lots of responsibility sit with this everyday.

Here are a few gentle invitations:

• Notice where efficiency is driving you. With curiosity, not judgement.

• Ask yourself: “Am I choosing speed because it serves me? or because it’s familiar?”

• Let one moment in your day be just that: a moment. No rushing. No checklist.

• Pause between commitments. Taste the food. Really look at the person you’re speaking with.

• Accept that presence might mean doing things the long way for a while... and that’s okay.

It won’t always feel comfortable- but often, it’s exactly what makes life feel lived rather than managed.

A different way to frame it

Efficiency is a tool. A good one. But not the whole story.
The key lies in knowing when to engage it... and when to step it down.

There’s nothing wrong with taking the faster path, especially when you’re worn out, the clock is ticking, and the logistics demand it. But if you never allow yourself the longer path- the slower, more human, more present path, you risk missing what you’ve been working so hard to create.

So when you catch yourself reaching for the shortcut, pause. Ask: “Is this the moment to be fast? Or the moment to be present?”

That one question could change everything.

And now… an ironic wrap‑up

Yes... this is a blog post about slowing down. And yes, you may even be reading this part after you scrolled quickly through the whole post. Either way, welcome.

Here’s the fast version of a slow idea:

TL;DR — I understand your brain... because it's mine too 😉

Nothing says “I value presence” like skipping the journey straight to the end. 🤭

• Efficiency is brilliant. Until it becomes our only way of being.

• Presence might feel inconvenient- but nevertheless, it’s what gives life its texture.

• We need both. Efficiency means nothing if there isn't actually a 'slow route' to compare it to.

• The shortcut won’t always serve what matters most.

• You can optimise your schedule- but you can’t optimise your way into connection.

So maybe today, you do something wildly inefficient. Like stare at a tree. Or feel your feelings. Or stay with the moment instead of moving on to the next thing.
Your nervous system will thank you.

Want More?

If this resonated, if the tug between doing and being rings true, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re working with others, caring for yourself, or simply wanting a deeper pace, feel free to reach out or join the mailing list. No fluff, just conversations that matter.