Hurry is contagious. You’re allowed to not catch it.

Rush travels between people much faster than any real deadline does. Somebody arrives stressed, talks quickly, wants it now, and within minutes you are moving fast on something that was never urgent. Speed feels like productivity while it is happening and mostly produces mistakes and a jumpy afternoon.

When you feel the pace climb, check whose clock you are running on. Ask when it is actually needed and you will often discover the answer is Friday. Then slow your own movements down deliberately, because your body sets the tempo more than the task ever does.