The underwater tying knots thing is used in civvy scuba training. Going fast burns up oxygen fast. Going slow means you get the exercise done without burning up the oxygen remaining in your body. And years later it ended up saving my life when I got food stuck in my throat. The instinct is to gulp for air but that pulls the food in further… you have to get the air remaining in your lungs OUT as quick as possible. This forces the food out letting you breath in. I was on on my own at the time and consequently did it solo by dropping my chest onto the edge of my mattress while relaxing as much as possible. Didn’t work on the first try but on the second it got it partially out and on the thirst try I managed to clear my airway. I was lucky I remembered my scuba training of sitting on the floor of the deep end with a weight belt over my legs doing exercises and I was the last one up every time. Because I didn’t rush. Slow is smooth, smooth is life.
It's the same with many many physical movements. For instance just lifting weights, you want to keep your speed and weight where you can do the exercise while keeping proper form. Once you can complete the set while maintaining proper form you go faster or add more weight.
Yessir! Have used that method when I was training to be a barista for Starbucks here in NYC. Under pressure I remember this and my hands just start to fly instead of just trying to bang out the drinks as fast as possible which normally leads to mistakes. I’m also applying this to other areas in my life and it works like a charm! Love the beard btw! God bless 🙏🏻
When you rush you run the risk of making mistakes, fixing your mistakes mid run slows you down. Being accurate means you make less mistakes, which means you are faster.
IMO too many guys who aren't that great of a shot hide behind "speed" way too often. Someone nailing 8" - 10" plates at 5 - 7 yards in fractions of seconds isn't the same thing as someone stacking multiple rounds on top of one another in one hole no bigger than the size of a U.S. quarter at 15 yards "rapid fire".
If you increase that distance to 20+ yards it becomes even more impressive. I remember when I was a kid I knew this old man in his 80s that shot bullseye competition. He always referred to that famous old line about catching a mouse by whacking at it randomly with a hammer or using a trap to do the same thing with pinpoint accuracy and inescapable timing done with one little nibble. It made perfect sense to me as I followed along and listened.
I was only looking at the physical doing side of this. I like the opportunity to use it in my mental approach to life, solving problems and in communication. Thanks very much.
This is pretty much my philosophy for learning guitar. Start slow and small, focused on doing it right. The key to success is time. You'll get there eventually.
As an operations manager for Amazon, I always promote this quote to my drivers.. The ones that abide by this mantra are excellent drivers - however, the ones that rush recklessly, always end up getting into accidents, having poor delivery feedback, and burning themselves out.
Wyatt Earp said it best and he constantly proved it in every engagement he was involved in. "Fast is fine but accuracy is everything!" I have lived by those words my whole life. He never lost and was never hit while most all of his peers were hit and many were even killed.
It’s also useful to think of it in terms of getting things done in life; instead of having all or nothing thinking that causes burnout, slowly moving forward will get you there quicker than all the starts/stops of all/nothing thinking. So useful!!
For infiltrating, slow is smooth means to me that its a matter of looking like ur not moving to anyone who might see u, and moving much more quickly when u know ur unseen
Great explanation. I use this process all over my life. To give another real world example, I used it while learning the electric guitar. To learn scales. To learn chord progressions, to learn guitar licks. You could try fast is fast, but you'd end as a sloppy, mistake ridden guitarist.
I remember entering a “Zen” where the process just does the work. Some of my best times at work. You have to learn the process before you can do it quickly, and for me at least, stress makes me neglect that part. Partly here because I was so annoyed with how I did today. I still think the day was a little lame, but I know I could have been way better if I’d just de-stressed and remembered what worked.
Love the beard! My boys both served, Marine and Sailor, they came home and haven't shaved since. What's up with the military and beards 😅 People who get "slow is smooth ..." just get it. Great video!
At one point I was told the original saying was slow is smooth, smooth is steady/consistent, steady/consistent is fast and it was shortened over time to slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Either way I understand the sentiment and agree. Master the basics and speed will come.
First off, great video. Enjoyed it much. Anytime you have to break down a phrase or saying....usually means it's just not a great one. Sure, anyone with a little bit of training or knowledge knows what "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" represents. However, when you're new....it has to be explained to you. Just like in this video and like many of us and others do all the time with students. If you didn't expound or explain the saying.....many would incorrectly interpret this to mean many other things than what it is actually intended for. Which just makes it "bad" and not so great. Conversely, if you tell someone "we are going to crawl, walk, run".......most everyone, regardless of skill level will understand this to mean you're going to take an approach where you work up to being better and/or faster. No one has to make a video explaining "craw walk run" but has to make a video explaining "slow is smooth and smooth is fast." That should be a big indicator of the value of a phrase or saying.
Great comparison to "crawl, walk, run" and that is a valid point that if the saying has to be explained, than maybe there is a better way to communicate the same principles more directly.
I'm a tool & die maker, like my grandfather and his father. This saying has been around a long long way back in toolmaking. My great grandfather used it when showing me something on the lathe, and said he'd heard it as an apprentice.
I used to be a croupier. The better you get the fewer mistakes you make and unnecessary movements are eliminated. An experienced dealer looks smooth and effortless but is quicker than a beginner who in comparison flails around trying to go fast.
When I started working in private equity, my Excel modeling was weak compared to alot of other guys. But after the 1st 6 months I was easily 2x faster than anyone bc I spent 3 hours/day slowly mastering EVERY necessary keyboard shortcut rather than trying to rush to finish my model as quickly as possible (which would have required me to use my mouse). Now I can basically navigate Windows, Chrome & most programs entirely without a mouse.
I just learned of this saying basicly as of typing this, but I have lived with concept close to it for awhile now. I work in factories they love speed always want you to go faster. It is consistency that matters. If you go 100 mph then breakdown for 4 hours what was point of the speed, but you go 50 mph consistently without stops you are much better off.
I think there’s a controversy because people use slow, smooth, smooth as fast as a crutch for being slow. It’s about the balance of speed and precision. That’s how it should be taught running and gunning is applicable to NASCAR drivers training to take a corner. They often drive as fast as they can around the corner before they peel out they go too slow, even with perfect technique they get past, they go too fast with perfect technique and they crash. They find the balance between the speed and their current skill level and they will nail that corner every time. That’s why I think the concept of slow smooth, smooth as fast as outdated. It’s about finding the balance between speed and precision .
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, leads to fast is fast. Fast is fast is really there when you only need it, but it won’t work if you don’t have the slow progression to get there. My two cents.
Well I'm no navy seal. I'm just a gal that's. Ended up teaching a buncha folks how to get into competitive fighting games lmao. And this advice came back to me. Cause really. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is fast, isn't "Oh, you should take your time and be a delicate perfect artiste--" in the middle of a panic. You do things correctly, so you don't waste time correcting it later. And the more practiced you are at smooth, the easier fast comes. I don't use this phrasing, because folks wanna be in such a gd hurry all damn day, and once you hit them with something that sounds familiar they roll their eyes like they know every damn thing. 🤣 But I do absolutely rephrase this and just kind of watch with a slow smile when it finally clicks.
To expound on that, fast is slow. Mistakes can lead to injury or worse, especially when in a military setting. Your career isn't fast if you're accidentally discharging a weapon, you're not running fast if you broke your leg doing an obstacle incorrectly.
If Fast is Fast, it's only because it is also Smooth. If Fast does not have Smooth, then the end result is not consistently repeatable. What is smooth: Smooth, in my view means doing something with a balanced consistent rhythm with no errors, that is repeatable time after time. They only way smooth is achieved is by doing it only as fast as you can while ensuring a balanced consistent rhythm, with no errors, that is repeatable. Consistency grows confidence, and confidence reduces stress. Stress drives adrenaline which tunnels your vision, and thinking and slows your muscles. In my view, this could just as easily say, "Calm is smooth, and smooth is fast."
I find that the people that take issue with “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” have been fairly low intellect and contrarian. I don’t know if they intellectually can not grasp conceptual thinking, or are only acting on their insecurities. They never get it in though, and never really grow their skill set.
"I don’t want you to go faster than you can do it correctly", is great way to expand the concept. Thanks
Great to hear!
The underwater tying knots thing is used in civvy scuba training. Going fast burns up oxygen fast. Going slow means you get the exercise done without burning up the oxygen remaining in your body. And years later it ended up saving my life when I got food stuck in my throat. The instinct is to gulp for air but that pulls the food in further… you have to get the air remaining in your lungs OUT as quick as possible. This forces the food out letting you breath in.
I was on on my own at the time and consequently did it solo by dropping my chest onto the edge of my mattress while relaxing as much as possible. Didn’t work on the first try but on the second it got it partially out and on the thirst try I managed to clear my airway. I was lucky I remembered my scuba training of sitting on the floor of the deep end with a weight belt over my legs doing exercises and I was the last one up every time. Because I didn’t rush. Slow is smooth, smooth is life.
Best way to boil it down.
It's the same with many many physical movements. For instance just lifting weights, you want to keep your speed and weight where you can do the exercise while keeping proper form. Once you can complete the set while maintaining proper form you go faster or add more weight.
Yessir! Have used that method when I was training to be a barista for Starbucks here in NYC. Under pressure I remember this and my hands just start to fly instead of just trying to bang out the drinks as fast as possible which normally leads to mistakes. I’m also applying this to other areas in my life and it works like a charm! Love the beard btw! God bless 🙏🏻
When you rush you run the risk of making mistakes, fixing your mistakes mid run slows you down.
Being accurate means you make less mistakes, which means you are faster.
Speed can hide sloppy technique. Get it right. Get it right always. Get it right faster. Get it right faster always.
I like it!
IMO too many guys who aren't that great of a shot hide behind "speed" way too often. Someone nailing 8" - 10" plates at 5 - 7 yards in fractions of seconds isn't the same thing as someone stacking multiple rounds on top of one another in one hole no bigger than the size of a U.S. quarter at 15 yards "rapid fire".
If you increase that distance to 20+ yards it becomes even more impressive. I remember when I was a kid I knew this old man in his 80s that shot bullseye competition. He always referred to that famous old line about catching a mouse by whacking at it randomly with a hammer or using a trap to do the same thing with pinpoint accuracy and inescapable timing done with one little nibble. It made perfect sense to me as I followed along and listened.
Can't miss fast enough to win.
@@JohnDoeEagle1
In real life if you can stack holes but are 100ms slower than the guy that just hits the plates…..you’re dead.
I was only looking at the physical doing side of this. I like the opportunity to use it in my mental approach to life, solving problems and in communication. Thanks very much.
This is pretty much my philosophy for learning guitar. Start slow and small, focused on doing it right. The key to success is time. You'll get there eventually.
Similar to crawl, walk, run methodology and building the proper pathways towards successful performance, two thumbs up here!
This is the way to train. You can apply this to the guitar as well. Many of the best solos get worked out slowly.
"Never sacrifice quality for speed" is an old restaurant adage that applies to many scenarios, including this.
This is the method I used to 'teach' my muscles to use speedloaders reliably and quickly... it does indeed work.
I changed it a few years ago for some folks I was helping.. "Slow and smooth until smooth is fast."
Yah i like that!
using this version from now on 🔥🔥
Slow is smooth, is a very good place to start. Until mastery takes hold, slow is the way to lock in correct habits.
As an operations manager for Amazon, I always promote this quote to my drivers.. The ones that abide by this mantra are excellent drivers - however, the ones that rush recklessly, always end up getting into accidents, having poor delivery feedback, and burning themselves out.
What's your ID? I've worked in operations as well.
Wyatt Earp said it best and he constantly proved it in every engagement he was involved in.
"Fast is fine but accuracy is everything!"
I have lived by those words my whole life. He never lost and was never hit while most all of his peers were hit and many were even killed.
My Team Leader taught me that phrase. It was when he was showing me how to rig up C4. Ah the old days.
It’s also useful to think of it in terms of getting things done in life; instead of having all or nothing thinking that causes burnout, slowly moving forward will get you there quicker than all the starts/stops of all/nothing thinking. So useful!!
For infiltrating, slow is smooth means to me that its a matter of looking like ur not moving to anyone who might see u, and moving much more quickly when u know ur unseen
Great explanation. I use this process all over my life. To give another real world example, I used it while learning the electric guitar. To learn scales. To learn chord progressions, to learn guitar licks. You could try fast is fast, but you'd end as a sloppy, mistake ridden guitarist.
I remember entering a “Zen” where the process just does the work. Some of my best times at work.
You have to learn the process before you can do it quickly, and for me at least, stress makes me neglect that part.
Partly here because I was so annoyed with how I did today. I still think the day was a little lame, but I know I could have been way better if I’d just de-stressed and remembered what worked.
Love the beard! My boys both served, Marine and Sailor, they came home and haven't shaved since. What's up with the military and beards 😅
People who get "slow is smooth ..." just get it. Great video!
It is a good method as im using it learning to play a sport and using it and saying it to myself my game improved .
This was very good, thank you for sharing.
Cool,calm and collected!!! Slow is smooth, smooth is fast!! Ranger up 💯🤙🤟💪
At one point I was told the original saying was slow is smooth, smooth is steady/consistent, steady/consistent is fast and it was shortened over time to slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Either way I understand the sentiment and agree. Master the basics and speed will come.
Ok cool that makes sense!
First off, great video. Enjoyed it much.
Anytime you have to break down a phrase or saying....usually means it's just not a great one. Sure, anyone with a little bit of training or knowledge knows what "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" represents. However, when you're new....it has to be explained to you. Just like in this video and like many of us and others do all the time with students. If you didn't expound or explain the saying.....many would incorrectly interpret this to mean many other things than what it is actually intended for. Which just makes it "bad" and not so great.
Conversely, if you tell someone "we are going to crawl, walk, run".......most everyone, regardless of skill level will understand this to mean you're going to take an approach where you work up to being better and/or faster.
No one has to make a video explaining "craw walk run" but has to make a video explaining "slow is smooth and smooth is fast." That should be a big indicator of the value of a phrase or saying.
Great comparison to "crawl, walk, run" and that is a valid point that if the saying has to be explained, than maybe there is a better way to communicate the same principles more directly.
I'm a tool & die maker, like my grandfather and his father. This saying has been around a long long way back in toolmaking. My great grandfather used it when showing me something on the lathe, and said he'd heard it as an apprentice.
Works great in teaching piano playing too
I use this concept as a practice in my field of work. It helps with new processes.
I used to be a croupier. The better you get the fewer mistakes you make and unnecessary movements are eliminated. An experienced dealer looks smooth and effortless but is quicker than a beginner who in comparison flails around trying to go fast.
When I started working in private equity, my Excel modeling was weak compared to alot of other guys.
But after the 1st 6 months I was easily 2x faster than anyone bc I spent 3 hours/day slowly mastering EVERY necessary keyboard shortcut rather than trying to rush to finish my model as quickly as possible (which would have required me to use my mouse).
Now I can basically navigate Windows, Chrome & most programs entirely without a mouse.
I just learned of this saying basicly as of typing this, but I have lived with concept close to it for awhile now. I work in factories they love speed always want you to go faster. It is consistency that matters. If you go 100 mph then breakdown for 4 hours what was point of the speed, but you go 50 mph consistently without stops you are much better off.
I think do it right is more important than do it fast. doing it fast but not smooth can cause trouble.
Speed will come. Get the basics right first. Stance, grip, trigger, focus.
Well articulated!
A mantra we used in the 80s. Along with you can't shoot faster than you can shoot accurately.
That is also a good one!
Perfect practice makes perfect
I think there’s a controversy because people use slow, smooth, smooth as fast as a crutch for being slow. It’s about the balance of speed and precision. That’s how it should be taught running and gunning is applicable to NASCAR drivers training to take a corner. They often drive as fast as they can around the corner before they peel out they go too slow, even with perfect technique they get past, they go too fast with perfect technique and they crash. They find the balance between the speed and their current skill level and they will nail that corner every time. That’s why I think the concept of slow smooth, smooth as fast as outdated.
It’s about finding the balance between speed and precision .
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, leads to fast is fast. Fast is fast is really there when you only need it, but it won’t work if you don’t have the slow progression to get there. My two cents.
This is a classic Shaolin technique i.e. to train your forms slowly and precisely and then to progress from Form > Flow > Force.
Nobody ever said, "you're making too many mistakes, you need to speed up."
very true!
Well I'm no navy seal. I'm just a gal that's. Ended up teaching a buncha folks how to get into competitive fighting games lmao. And this advice came back to me. Cause really. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is fast, isn't "Oh, you should take your time and be a delicate perfect artiste--" in the middle of a panic.
You do things correctly, so you don't waste time correcting it later. And the more practiced you are at smooth, the easier fast comes. I don't use this phrasing, because folks wanna be in such a gd hurry all damn day, and once you hit them with something that sounds familiar they roll their eyes like they know every damn thing. 🤣 But I do absolutely rephrase this and just kind of watch with a slow smile when it finally clicks.
Brilliant explanation
great to hear!
To expound on that, fast is slow. Mistakes can lead to injury or worse, especially when in a military setting. Your career isn't fast if you're accidentally discharging a weapon, you're not running fast if you broke your leg doing an obstacle incorrectly.
In my world, fast is fast, smooth is faster.
Spot on,
crazy that i came here from a jiu jitsu video, and your example is jiu jitsu hahaha
Right on!
Good stuff here.....
If you can’t do it slow you can’t do it fast
If Fast is Fast, it's only because it is also Smooth. If Fast does not have Smooth, then the end result is not consistently repeatable.
What is smooth:
Smooth, in my view means doing something with a balanced consistent rhythm with no errors, that is repeatable time after time. They only way smooth is achieved is by doing it only as fast as you can while ensuring a balanced consistent rhythm, with no errors, that is repeatable. Consistency grows confidence, and confidence reduces stress. Stress drives adrenaline which tunnels your vision, and thinking and slows your muscles.
In my view, this could just as easily say, "Calm is smooth, and smooth is fast."
The first step in being really good at something is being really bad at something
Shipley doesn't need to call this guy out does he?
Who?
Already been done many times. I actually served with his son at ST10.
Shavkot is 100% slow is smooth and smooth is fast
I find that the people that take issue with “slow is smooth and smooth is fast” have been fairly low intellect and contrarian. I don’t know if they intellectually can not grasp conceptual thinking, or are only acting on their insecurities. They never get it in though, and never really grow their skill set.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
"Fast is fast" was clearly coined by some idiot who doesn't understand the concept of training.