The idea of going fast is fascinating. At its simplest, it’s about doing more in less time. Most of us understand this in everyday life. But at work — especially in tech — things get murky.
We often mistake “fast” for frantic. We think it means cutting corners, rushing processes, pushing harder, logging longer hours. That’s fast... I guess. But it's also fragile.
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Quick disclaimer: I’m not here to comment on capitalism, corporate systems, or anything in-between. I'm not even remotely qualified to do so. And I’m definitely not here to patronize. I’m just someone who’s genuinely interested in efficiency — and how to apply it across everyday life and work.
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So let’s talk about the real mechanics of going fast. Not through shortcuts or stress, but through clarity, practice, and preparation. Here are three everyday(ish) simple examples that show what fast really means.
Getting to the Office Early
Going fast isn’t about speeding or weaving through traffic (please don’t). It starts long before you’re in the car.
- Did you wake up early enough?
- Did you shower, and did you have shampoo, conditioner, and body wash ready?
- Did you pick your outfit ahead of time?
- Did you prep your meals the night before?
- Did you pack your bag in advance?
- Do you know exactly where your car keys are?
- Are they hanging where they should be — like on that middle hook near the door?
- Did you check the weather? The traffic?
All of these micro-decisions add up. Not because they’re flashy, but because they reduce friction. They honor your future self. And done consistently, they give you a quiet kind of speed — one built on discipline, not adrenaline.
Hosting Friends for Dinner
Let’s say you’re hosting a few friends for dinner.
Going fast — making it feel smooth and easy — isn’t about racing through the prep or throwing everything together last minute. It’s about what you’ve done before anyone shows up:
- Did you plan the menu ahead of time?
- Do you know what ingredients you already have and what you need to buy?
- Did you grocery shop the day before?
- Did you choose dishes you can cook well — and quickly?
- Are the drinks chilled? Is the table set?
- Did you clean the space, empty the trash, make space in the fridge?
- Do you have a plan for when things go wrong? (burnt toast, missing ice, early guests?)
- Have you prepped a bit of conversation? Thought about who’s coming and what they might enjoy?
- Did you stagger your cooking so you’re not stuck in the kitchen when people arrive?
None of that feels flashy. But it’s what makes the night feel effortless. Because again — this isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about removing waste: wasted time, energy, stress.
Speed is the byproduct of thoughtful setup, calm prep, and small decisions made ahead of time.
Carrying All the Groceries
You ever carry all the groceries in one trip? From car to kitchen?
I do. Not because it’s practical. Not because it’s smart. But probably because I’m stubborn — and I hate making two trips.
But that single haul doesn’t start at the trunk. It starts way before:
- Did your car already have a collection of sturdy tote bags?
- Did you bring them into the store?
- Did you pack items into the totes as you shopped?
- Did you make a grocery list in advance?
- Did you stick to it — or buy things you didn’t need (and now have to carry)?
- Did you pack your cart with the return trip in mind — grouping items logically by bag?
- Was your trunk clear and ready?
- Did you secure or tie off bags so nothing spills on the drive?
- Is the path from car to kitchen clear?
- Are there any obstacles along the way — open doors, laundry baskets, stray shoes?
The point is — going “fast” here isn’t about brute strength. It’s about removing every little thing that might slow me down.
And yeah… a little bit of stubbornness helps too.
5S
These examples might seem small. Obvious. Excessive, even. But this kind of thinking — noticing friction, improving systems — is at the heart of real speed.
It’s not about going faster. It’s about going smoother.
This mindset is practiced exceptionally well in manufacturing — especially at Toyota, the birthplace of the Toyota Production System, and a set of principles called 5S:
- Sort – remove what’s unnecessary
- Set in Order – give everything a place
- Shine – keep things clean and functional
- Standardize – create habits that stick
- Sustain – keep improving, every day
It’s not just a checklist. It’s a way of thinking.
If something slows you down, you fix it. If it happens again, you create a system. You share it. Others do it too. And over time, your entire team moves faster — not because anyone’s rushing, but because nothing’s in the way.
Ultimately, that’s the whole point of the system: To eliminate waste.
For me...
Applying these 5S principles every day is what genuinely helps me do as much as I do.
The volume of documentation I write and maintain. The countless Slack messages I send across project channels and threads. The speed at which I read, absorb, and respond to whatever comes my way. And yes—on top of all that—I’m still doing my regular engineering work. Still writing code. Still planning and preparing work for others.
It’s not magic. I don’t have more hours than anyone else.
I just try to make the most of them—by wasting less. By taking care of a lot of little things. By doing the best I can, every day.
A Real-World Example
Here’s a great video from an office applying 5S thinking to everyday work:
▶︎ Office 5S in action – YouTube (3m)
It’s not glamorous. But it’s effective. That’s the power of small things, done with care.
Fast (and slow)
In the end, it’s not about rushing. It’s about being intentional. Disciplined. Aware. It’s about noticing the little things — and taking care of them.
Keeping what’s useful. Discarding what’s not. Tightening what’s loose. Sharpening what’s dull. Smoothing what keeps snagging.
It’s not about slowing down. It’s about getting rid of what slows you down. Go fast by making space for it. Go fast by making it easier.
Go fast by making it better.
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Edit: Updated this post on 2025-05-11 to replace the 2nd section to a more practical analogy of hosting friends for dinner.