Power in the Pause: A Fresh Start for 2025

As the calendar turns to 2025, many feel the familiar tug of setting goals, moving forward, and striving for success. The start of a new year brims with energy and potential, but before we charge ahead, I invite you to pause.

This is not just any pause—it's a purposeful, reflective pause. This is the power of Kairos time, when we step outside the ticking clock of Chronos time and create space for deeper awareness, connection, and intention. The pause isn't just a moment of rest; it's a profound act of recalibration that can shape the year ahead.

Why Pause?

In the ever-accelerating pace of modern life, pausing might seem counterproductive or even indulgent. But neuroscience tells us otherwise. When we pause, we engage the brain's default mode network, which fosters creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. In these moments of stillness, we can align our actions with our values and find clarity amidst complexity.

In leadership, as in life, the pause is where transformation begins. It's the space where we gather the courage to ask, "What truly matters?" and the wisdom to answer honestly.

The 2025 Challenge: Thriving in the In-Between

This year, I propose a challenge: to embrace the "in-between" spaces of our lives and work. These are the moments between meetings, decisions, and actions. They are often overlooked but hold immense potential.

In Japanese culture, there's a concept called?ma—the silence or emptiness that gives shape to sound and action. Ma teaches us that success is not defined by constant doing but by the quality and intention behind our actions.

As leaders, parents, colleagues, and friends, how often do we let the "busy" fill our days without genuinely considering what's meaningful? How often do we rush through the ma instead of embracing its gifts?

A Year of Intentional Leadership

Leadership in 2025 requires more than just skills and strategies; it demands presence, resilience, and adaptability. By learning to pause, we can:

• Cultivate self-awareness: Understand our triggers, motivations, and blind spots.
• Foster authentic connections: Listen deeply and respond thoughtfully.
• Adapt with agility: See challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to overcome.

Power in the Pause: Your 2025 Practice

As you step into this new year, I encourage you to integrate these small but powerful pauses into your daily life:

1. Morning Intention: Begin your day by asking, What do I want to bring into the world today?
2. Meeting Reset: Take 30 seconds before a meeting to breathe, center yourself, and set an intention for the conversation.
3. Evening Reflection: End your day by asking, What went well? What can I learn?

These practices may seem simple, but they can profoundly shift how you show up in the world over time.

Looking Ahead

"Power in the Pause" is more than just a mantra—it's a movement. In this series, we'll continue to explore themes of mindfulness, neuroscience, psychology and leadership, diving deeper into concepts like resilience, Kairos vs. Chronos time, and the intersection of cultural wisdom and modern practices.

2025 holds immense potential, but neither the goals we set nor the plans we make will define this year. It's how we show up daily—in the pauses, the ma, and the moments that matter most.

Are you ready to pause, reflect, and lead with intention?

Let's embark on this journey together.

Best regards,

Teresa

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