Slow is Smooth and Smooth Is Fast: How Slowing Down Can Make Us Better Researchers

As researchers dealing with a high volume of requests daily, it can be tempting to value speed and efficiency over all else, Smith Anderson’s Senior Research Librarian Katharine Hanson writes in the article Slow is Smooth and Smooth Is Fast: How Slowing Down Can Make Us Better Researchers for Legal Reference Services Quarterly.

However, Katharine notes that it is vital to learn the skill of slowing down and allowing new solutions and answers to emerge through effortful thought and the unencumbering of the mind. According to the article, it is important that people learn the skill of slowing down and engaging in effortful thought, which, somewhat ironically, can come with the most ease when people allow their minds the time and space to slow down and wander— do less, better.

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