Festina lente: A Roman emperor's guide to getting stuff done

“The smartest way to set a reasonable deadline is to make sure it’s not too stressful for those involved, to tailor it individually to all players, and also to break it up,” writes Amy Herman, founder of the Art of Perception, in her book Fixed .

Augustus thought “nothing more derogatory to the character of an accomplished general than precipitancy and rashness.” To quash such impulses, Augustus trained his generals to instead make haste slowly and that “the cautious captain is better than the bold.”

time pressure hinders creativity and problem-solving by prompting people to reach for the simplest option or solution rather than allowing the space to reach a more eloquent one.

people who take the time to engage in healthy, active habits such as exercise, socializing, and hobbies can engage their executive functions more effectively for self-control, emotional regulation, and, yes, problem-solving. Setting aside a problem to focus on other activities also lets your subconscious workshop it behind the scenes

Collaborative problem-solving is receiving increased attention for its ability to help people solve complex problems. Even when the collaborators are mere mortals, they bring together more experiences and a larger knowledge base than any one individual. This pooling of cognitive resources makes for more informed decisions and better problem-solving... See more

Augustus further signaled his devotion by minting an aureus, a type of gold Roman coin, with his personal branding of festina lente . On the side that didn’t include his face — because what leader isn’t going to slap his visage on some coin? — he imprinted the image of a crab hoisting a butterfly. The butterfly represented speed, the crab caution a... See more