The Power of Pause
Marc Engel
'Yes, And' your way to extraordinary teamwork | Founder of 'Creative's Sanctuary'
In any form of communication - coaching, sales, or negotiations - experts emphasize the importance of silence, shutting up, and listening - moments of "not talking".
As leaders, we strive to be productive and constantly working. We stress ourselves out. We should also consider the power of moments when we pause, breathe, and ground ourselves - moments of "not working".
Getting thrown off balance
Many of us have morning rituals that include mindfulness or meditation. Yet, the effects of these serene moments often fade quickly. I recall a time when I had a profound morning meditation, only to be fully annoyed and stressed a few hours later by my former boss. From 100 to almost 0 in an instant.
There are daily instances that instantly throw us off balance. Moreover, even without specific triggers, we can easily lose ourselves in the relentless flow of work and demands.
Enter the sacred pause
One of the simplest, most effective, and beneficial practices you can introduce into your day is taking a moment to pause. Allocate 5-15 minutes intentionally slowing down, breathing, and grounding yourself.
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Similar to communication, pausing invites silence and stopping. In that stillness, we become aware of what's happening, breaking free from stress and our auto-mode, and noticing what we easily overlook.
It's a simple practice, but not always easy. What makes it simple yet challenging is our resistance to it. We often believe there's no time to pause.
In the Mental Fitness framework I work with, we incorporate multiple pauses throughout the day, known as "challenges." I guess there is a reason for their name!
Here's your challenge
I dare you to find just 5 minutes every day for the next 5 days to intentionally interrupt your busy schedule and take a break. Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and find a rhythm of about 5-6 seconds for each inhale and exhale. On average, one full breath takes approximately 11 seconds, allowing for roughly 27 breaths within a 5-minute window.
Sometimes, the simplest things are not worth another article. There's nothing groundbreaking or new in what I've written here. However, what's simple to do is often also simple not to do. Let this short article serve as a gentle reminder to prioritize the power of pause.