It’s great to be here!  I am in the process of launching both an idependent bookstore tour for my new novel, titled The Farmer, as well as what I’m calling the Slow Book Movement.  The goal is to create a resurgence in the lost art of literature, and to one day grow as large and widespread as the Slow Food Movement.  I want to involve writers, readers, publishers, and anyone else with a love and interest in good books.  This is my opening post of what will be an ongoing blog describing the adventure of a self-published book tour and starting up a brand new movement!  To begin, check out my portal for fund-raising on Kickstarter.com.  Search for “The Farmer Book Tour”.  This website is great, and may help other slow people get their own projects going!  Thanks for reading and keep checking for updates.  Right now my novel is at the printing press, so the big release date is coming up soon!!

There are a lot of things that determine our lives and sometimes it seems that there is so little we can do to change it. Politics, world economy and international relations seem to be living in a separate world from us, ordinary people. It’s no wonder that people become more and more detached from what is going on around them. But is there really nothing we can do about it?

For two years now a group of Estonians have expressed great initiative and eagerness to contradict that kind of uncertainty. In May 2008 around 50 000 people came to the fore to clean the forests, parks and roadsides from garbage. In just five hours of work around 10 000 tons of trash was collected which could be said was the best birthday present for our country (Estonia turned 90 last year). The slogan of the project was simple: “Let’s do it!”

This May the initiative continued but under a new slogan and concept. It was called “My Estonia”. People came together as well, but this time not to do something but to put their heads together and think of ways to make the world a better place. There were agencies of that initiative set up in every county, village and town - close enough to everyone living in this country. They discussed the issues that were bothering them and tried to come up with suggestions on what should be done. No bluf, but concrete ideas.

This week one of the leading newspapers in Estonia publised some of those ideas, just to give us a peek on what was discussed. I was more than surprised that among proposals on how to make traffic safer and improve our education system, which are absolutely important topics as well, the slow movement has also crawled into the heads of so many people around me. Here are some examples:

How to make the most of the economic crisis?

• become friends with nature - go hiking, biking etc.
• talk to your children about how the world works
• do some gardening and help your neighbour in it as well
• pick your own berries and mushrooms from the woods
• bring back romance, take a midnight walk under the starry sky
• improve your cooking skills

“There is no reality; only perception.” Shakespeare once wrote. If the sixteenth-century English bard was correct, then your perception creates your reality. The problem, then, when you are going through difficult times, is not that you are less successful, but that you perceive yourself as less successful. What if this were not the case? How would it affect the way you are experiencing your career and life right now?

Most of us tie our success to the results we bring in – how many contracts we sign, our income, the number of people who turn out to see us speak or teach, or return our calls, or buy our books or software or clothing designs. Over fifteen years of coaching thousands of Fortune 500 CEOs and senior executives has taught me that the relationship between a successful leader and the results he or she brings in is surprisingly counterintuitive.

The most successful leaders are concerned with results the way a swimmer is concerned with the finish line. If she keeps thinking about how far she still has to go and whether she will beat the competition, she will become easily overwhelmed and will under-perform. If she instead spends about two percent of her time lifting her head to make sure she is heading in the right direction, and the other 98 percent focused on the core processes that make her an excellent swimmer – how she moves her arms and legs, the techniques she has learned over a lifetime of training, the rhythm and energy she puts into every stride – she will reach the finish line before she is even aware of it.

When you spend most of your time thinking about the stock tickers on your screen, or whether the next deal will come through, or any of the other results you desire, you become the powerless child in the back seat constantly whining “How much further do we have to go?” You head down a never-ending road where your self-worth hinges on what you yield rather than who you are. You become like a mouse being chased by the cat of your own continually rising expectations.

As soon as you get the contract you’ve been aiming for, do you stop and say, “OK, now I can relax and feel good about myself. I got it!”? Maybe for a few hours, or possibly even a few days. But then the cat bares its frothy teeth once again, and you become preoccupied with the next result, which must be even greater for you to continue to feel worthy. Once again, you feel only as good as your last performance. Were this not the case – were a result to bring you lasting contentment – then you would be content right now, because you’ve already overcome many obstacles and achieved important results in your life!

The two greatest enemies of your progress are what you call ‘success’ and what you refer to as ‘failure’. The first breeds complacency, the second self-judgment. They also shroud the truth about success, which flouts conventional wisdom: Success doesn’t come from aiming at success. Success comes from doing what you’re passionate about to the best of your ability.

When you focus your attention on status, money, approval or a promotion, you surrender your power. Why? Because you allocate your mental space to these methods that others use to award you for how you act toward them, instead of how you act toward them. You concentrate your mind on what you receive from others rather than what you give. Even a single act of giving fully from your heart, mind and soul will enable you to realize this is the only true reward.

Besides (and more spiritual reasons aside) you have absolutely no control over what you receive from others. It’s entirely in their hands, and depends on many factors outside of your control such as their preferences, moods and the shifting winds of popular sentiment. As Lincoln once said when asked to review a book: “People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like.”

Yet while you have no control over what you receive, you have 100 percent control over what you give. Once you make this mental shift, you will finally operate within your locus of power: you can always give more, or, even better, apply your learning from the past to expand, improve and better target how you give. Further, no matter what is going on in the external world, when you concentrate on how you can better give to your customers and loved ones there is always something important to do with your time.

Examples of companies accessing this power are all around us – especially when their customers have fewer resources in an economic downturn and, hence, greater needs. Instead of sitting around and lamenting their decreased revenues (what they receive), they balance their passion for selling their products or services with compassion for the evolving needs of their customers (and how they give to serve those needs). Hyundai, for example, recently created a policy that allows any customer who is laid off within one year of purchasing a new car to return it without penalty. Sears has revived its Layaway program so its hard-pressed customers can purchase its products in installments.

Shifting your focus to how you give to others doesn’t mean that wanting a good job, a beautiful house, approval from others or a position of influence is wrong. It’s not wanting results that causes the problem – it’s attaching to your wanting, and attaching to the results. By all means set ambitious goals. Draw a vivid mental picture of what you want to bring into your life. See it, smell it, feel it. Visualize yourself taking strong strides in its direction and reaching it. But then let go of your desired destination, put your head back in the water, and maintain a laser-like focus on continuously enhancing how you give to others to move toward it. Like the swimmer focusing on her technique and effort, you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you arrive.

It is one thing to talk about slowing down. It is another to do it.

Ever since In Praise of Slow came out, readers have been urging me to hold a retreat where people can come together to explore and live the ideas in the book.

Finally, the time has come to take the plunge.

I will be running a Slow Retreat in a 17th-century farmhouse in Italy in October 2009. Click here for more details….

Hi all,
I am a Graphic design student in Bournemouth, UK and I am currently doing my final major project on promoting Slow to the UK.

I have written a brief, a (rough) outcome and a manifesto to support my project. Any comments, ideas etc would really help enhance my work and would be very much appreciated. If all goes well then I will carry out this project for real so you guys could potentially get involved!

More development work will follow very soon…

Brief

The aim of this project is to introduce and establish the slow movement mentality to the UK. The Slow ideology is to create a speed bump for everyday life. The goal of this shift in speed is to make people really engage with life and their surroundings; making richer connections with loved ones and friends.

Corresponding to the new slow proposal, the aim is to tackle the taboo of the common use of the term slow. There is of course a bad slow, being lazy for example but there is also a good, considered, slow. This fresh attitude on slow is the desired message. Ultimately the aim is to get people to enjoy and appreciate life by taking a break from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Live Slow 2009: a manifesto

We, the undersigned, are patrons of Slow. We, the undersigned, are patrons of speed. We, the undersigned, are patrons of life. Our slow is not lazy nor do we slack or stumble. Our slow is faster than you. We are the tortoises, and you are the hare. We win the race and enjoy the journey.

Like a tortoise we are wise and we are long lasting. Our aim is to engage with life. Living is a series of experiences and connections with our environment, we engage with every aspect of living. Our connection with loved ones is stronger, deeper and richer. And our connection with our surroundings is well informed, valued and utilized.

At home our slow is taking quality time with our family. At work our slow is considered, your fast is not. Our slow is more productive. We take time to look at all angles of a problem to make the best decision.

Slow is not a derogatory word for us; we do not use it like most. Your slow is synonymous with stupid, ours is the opposite. We wish to abolish the taboo of your slow and motion for our new slow.

Your eureka must not be too late; too often an illness or incident results in a new found clarity, but we propose you slow down now! Enjoy the existence you are here to live, we urge you not to hurdle the journey of life.

Signed:

Andrew Jackson

Outcome

A regular event, perhaps monthly, weekly or even daily that would promote and practice the slow mentality.

The experience would encourage people to learn about the slow theory, sign-up to the life of slow movement and, or, raise awareness of this attitude so perhaps the masses could take elements of the slow theory and incorporate them into their everyday lives.

Promotion of this event would be through a pseudonym of a tea party, afternoon tea or simply a tea break. The tea party would be an ambassador for the slow ideology, and act as a literal participation in the slow movement. The slow theory would utilize the normality of a tea break to represent the seemingly extreme ideology of the slow movement. Tea is an international phenomenon with many recognised connotations, which are perfectly appropriate for the slow movement. William Gladstone, four times British Prime minister relays,

‘If you are cold,
tea will warm you;
if you are too heated,
it will cool you;
if you are depressed,
it will cheer you;
if you are excited,
it will calm you’

These were the words he used to advertise tea to the UK. Tea explained here is used as a remedy to solve dilemmas. Now the second most popular drink in the world, tea has a plethora of associations. Tea break, afternoon tea, and tea parties and all the other social associations made with tea are a great representation of a state of mind similar to that of Slow. The common experience of a tea break would be used as a tool to demonstrate the seemingly unfamiliar slow mentality, by taking a break and engaging greater with friends and families.

Possible event types:
Annual - ‘Tea party’ - 12hrs
Weekly - ‘Afternoon tea’ - 2hrs
Daily - ‘Tea break’ - 30mins

Prior to clarify the issue let me introduce myself. My name is Marcelo Bohrer and I am the creator of the Nothingism Club, an organization that has been promoting meetings to the practice of nothingnism all around the Brazil since 2006.

In August 2008 I was in London conducting the first international meeting of the Club. There I had the pleasure to know Carl, whose work pro-slow I admired. It was a great pleasure to exchange ideas with him about this crazy and hectic world, and how many people are looking for ways to find natural rhythm and balance in modern life.

In Brazil where I live is no different from most of the world. People always live racing, engaged in a hurry and complaining of lack of time. Therefore the levels of stress are alarming! Researches show that it reaches almost 70% of the population. I couldn’t ignore these statistics. After some years working under high stress as a designer and entrepreneur, I faced a burnout. However, with this shock, a great desire to find a way to change the situation came.

After further investigation of the problem I discovered what I believe must be the center issue. We are so addicted to always do more and faster that we forget how to turn it down. Plus, we don’t know how to stop and remain without something to do. This is not by chance. This is because doing nothing is seen as something derogatory, useless, a waste of time in current culture! And if “time is money”, whoever want to lose it?

Thus, I had the idea to create the Nothingism Club, an event where people can devote some time especially for doing nothing, without haste and without guilt.

The idea is simple but bold: do nothing is also seize the time!

From the moment people become aware of the importance of those pause moments, they realize that they’re very precious and essential for a good life.

This is the Nothingism: enhance the moment to do anything.

How about starting to enjoy beautiful moments of Nothingism?

You have that right!

Best regards!

Marcelo Bohrer

If you want to know more about the project please visit:

www.clubedenadismo.com.br

www.nothingismclub.com

Você sabe o que é nadismo?

Antes de esclarecer a questão, permitam-me me apresentar. Me chamo Marcelo Bohrer e sou o criador do Clube de Nadismo, uma organização que há dois anos promove encontros para a prática do nadismo pelas capitais do Brasil.

Em agosto de 2008 estive em Londres para realizar o primeiro encontro internacional do Clube. Lá tive o prazer de conhecer o Carl, cujo trabalho pró-slow eu já admirava. Foi uma grande satisfação poder trocar idéias com ele sobre este mundo doido e corrido, e sobre como muitas pessoas estão buscando formas de reencontrar na vida moderna o ritmo natural e o equilíbrio.

No Brasil onde moro não é diferente de grande parte do mundo. As pessoas vivem sempre correndo, ocupadas, com pressa e reclamando de falta de tempo. Por isso os níveis de stress são alarmantes! Pesquisas apontam que ele chega a atingir quase 70% da população e eu não consegui escapar dessas estatísticas. Depois de alguns anos trabalhando como designer e consultor criativo e vivendo sob stress elevado, acabei enfrentando um burnout. Entretanto, com este susto, surgiu uma grande vontade de encontrar uma forma de mudar a situação.

Investigando mais profundamente a questão descobri o que talvez seja o principal problema. Estamos tão viciados em sempre fazer mais e mais rápido que esquecemos como desligar. Não sabemos mais como parar e ficar sem algo para fazer. Isto porque, na cultura atual, fazer nada é visto como algo depreciativo, é ser inútil, é perder tempo! E, se “tempo é dinheiro”, quem quer perdê-lo?

Foi assim que tive a idéia de criar o Clube de Nadismo, um evento onde as pessoas podem dedicar um tempo especialmente para fazer nada, sem pressa e sem culpa.

A idéia é simples mas ousada: fazer nada também é aproveitar o tempo!

Então, a partir do momento em que a pessoa toma consciência disso ela passa a dar importância aos momentos de pausa, passa a perceber que eles são muito preciosos e que são essenciais para o bem viver.

Isso é o nadismo: valorizar os momentos para se fazer nada.

Que tal começar a curtir belos momentos de nadismo?
Você também tem esse direito!

Grande abraço!
Marcelo Bohrer

Se você já quiser saber mais a respeito do projeto acesse: www.cludenadismo.com.br www.nothingism.com