Efficiency VS Speed: Reflections on Small-Town Living

As I write this, today marks my last day in Saint Mary's PA. Living in a small town when I was so used to big cities was a more profound shift than I had anticipated.

Something big that I took away was that being fast DOES NOT equal being efficient.

You can have an efficient system that still takes time, which I’ve come to appreciate here in Saint Mary's.

In this small town, efficiency looks like:

• My barista taking time to ensure my order was just right after asking about my day.

• Our bartender catching us up on the latest drama with her ex-boyfriend.

• The cashier pausing to tend to the baby she brought with her to work.

These moments, while slower, made me feel truly cared for. They weren’t rushed, and that’s what made them special.

While I spend a lot of time writing about efficiency, automation, and saving time, my experience here has reinforced that quality experiences and deliverables should never be sacrificed for speed.

These moments of care and connection are what make our work—and our lives—meaningful and human.