If you know me, then you know that I love my slow cooker.  I make everything from brisket to steel-cut oats in it, however, I never thought that I would be able to pull life lessons from the slow cooker.

You heard me right – life lessons from the slow cooker!  You see lately I feel like I’m living inside a pressure cooker.  Life is running at a speed that I can’t control, and I definitely feel the heat.

My determination and goal-driven attitude are both my biggest assets and my hugest liabilities. My work at times is like a hurricane or tornado. I set enormous goals for myself, my business and my family.  At the time, they all seem very realistic until the tornado swells up or the hurricane hits.

Over the last few weeks, I have been suffering from a sore neck and shoulder that landed me on the couch for a whole day, one too many grumpy moods. My house has experienced some serious neglect.  I caused all of this.  Yep – ME.

I drove myself at such a high-speed that the pressure burst!  I stuck myself inside that pressure cooker.

This morning as I thought about making meatballs in the slow cooker, I reflected how the meatballs would slowly simmer all day to excellence!  They would be juicy and tender, piping hot, and scrumptious!

Isn’t that what we want for our businesses?  The HOT choice?  The SCRUMPTIOUS option?

Of course! But when I rush the meatballs, they don’t have these qualities. If I bake them, they are dry. If I fry them, they are too greasy. But if I slow cook them, they come out just right.  Enough said.

I thought to myself, “WOW!  Maybe I need to apply the same idea to my business.  Turn the cooker on high for an hour and then slowly simmer the rest of the way.”

The beginning of business requires a bit of pressure when situating ideas and plans.  After that, haste makes waste.  There is life, business, and new frontiers all on the horizon.  A little bit of time will lead to a beautiful sunset, but pressure will create a bad front.

Today’s challenge is to SLOW DOWN and simmer in your career and in your life. 

Do you simmer or pressure cook?  Leave your thoughts below…..

Rachel – http://backngroovemom.com