By Nathan Herrington
January 21, 2025
There’s a saying, the implications of which I’d never fully considered:
“We overestimate what can be accomplished in a year while we underestimate what can be accomplished in a decade.”
I’ve always taken this to mean, quite simply, that we should focus on long-term goals and dream big – which is true. But as I reflect on my first 3.5 years as an entrepreneur and the start of a new year, I’ve realized that only captures a small portion of what this maxim has to offer. The most valuable insights usually involve the uncovering of a blindspot. The blind spot that I saw—which is painfully uninteresting—is that I’m still aggressively overestimating what I can do in a year.
Every year, I set ambitious goals for my business – and in some regards, I will probably continue to do so. These goals have given me a focal point, inspired bold yet consistent action, and driven growth. But there’s a flip side: at different points throughout the year, they stress me out. I forget that I’m the one who created the goal, and instead of feeling inspired, I get frantic about achieving it and worried that I won’t. To overcome this, I usually double down. I focus on getting more productive, more organized, more efficient. The logic? Work harder, push through, and grind until I get there.
But if the quote is really true, then there’s a paradox we need to embrace. Yes, set big goals that stretch you and inspire growth. Yet, recognize that no matter how “reasonable” or carefully thought-out your goals seem, you are almost certainly overestimating what you will accomplish this year. Let that sink in. Even if you approach this adage with full awareness, the pattern will insidiously persist.
So what’s the solution? Set the big goal. Then, set it aside.
Stop obsessing over reaching the destination as quickly as possible. Instead, put your attention on the quality of your output. Bring your best work and your best self to each task, each moment. There’s a richness available here—a presence where flow, joy, depth, and lasting transformation can thrive.
This reminds me of the book 10x is easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy. The title, at first glance, seems like a promise of productivity hacks to skyrocket results: more clients, more money, more impact. But as I read, I discovered that it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing better. True 10x growth isn’t about frantic action; it’s about elevating the quality of your attention and your efforts.
For me, that means slowing down. Slowing down to focus. Slowing down to check my work. Slowing down to think deeply. And slowing down to improve the quality of what I’m creating.
Now, my “smart rat” brain will try to hijack this. It’ll say, “Got it—slow down so I can do more, and faster!” This misses the point of another saying: Slow down to speed up. I’ve always fixated on the “speed up” part, letting it drive my actions and missing the opportunity for depth. So this year, in an attempt to short-circuit my “stinkin’ thinkin’, I’m trying something different.
My mantra for 2025 is “Slow down to slow down.” Practically, it means saying no to things I don’t want to do, but even saying no to somethings i do want to do. It means reading books slowly and taking notes, rather than seeing how many books I can. It means recommitting to a mediation practice. It’s a reminder to immerse myself fully in the process and the richness of each moment, and stop rushing toward some imagined future destination.
After all, where am I rushing off to, anyway?
