Sometimes it is faster to slow down and stop than speeding up. This can be difficult to grasp because as humans we are wired to prefer doing something rather than not do anything. This tendency to act by default even when there is no reason behind the action is known as the action bias. It is good in some times but it can be detrimental in others.
Imagine you’ve come across a new road that’s submerged after a flooding. There is no way to tell what’s below the surface of the muddy waters. The action bias prompts us to just drive through – it appears to be the fastest way to go through. It’s a fair assessment, if you make it to the other end you’ll arrive to your destination early. If you wait for the road to clear or find an alternate route, it’s going to cost hours.
You drive through, but unknown to you the currents are too strong and your tiny car is swept into the river. You are no longer going to make it to your destination. The couple of hours wait that seemed like a slow option would have been the faster path.
There are a lot of scenarios in life when the fastest path sometimes is stopping and waiting. Slowing down can be the fastest way to get to your destination