Pausing

Hello there friend,

I cannot believe that we are in March. What?!?

So as we move through the first week of month three, many of us are feeling the familiar mid-quarter intensity. The pace of life rarely slows on its own, and you might find yourself moving from task to task without a moment to breathe. And because of this I want to explore a counterintuitive approach to growth – the deliberate practice of pausing. The power of intentional pauses cannot be overstated.

The Transformative Power of Strategic Breaks

In our productivity-obsessed culture, we so often overlook one of the most powerful tools for personal growth: intentional pauses. These aren't just breaks or moments of procrastination – they're strategic intervals designed to enhance focus, creativity, and overall wellbeing.

Studies show that our brains need these intermittent rest periods to process information, make connections, and replenish mental energy. What looks like "doing nothing" is actually your mind working at a deeper level, integrating experiences and insights in ways that constant activity prevents.

So Here It Is - Our Action Plan For This Week

Here are three ways to incorporate intentional pauses into your daily routine:

1. The 90-Minute Focus Block: Work with complete concentration for 90 minutes, then take a genuine 15-minute break away from screens. This aligns with your body's natural ultradian rhythm and can dramatically improve both productivity and creative thinking. Not to mention how astounding it is to actually get so much done in those 90 hyper focused minutes!

2. Decision Pauses: Before making any significant decision this week, institute a mandatory 10-minute pause. Use this time to check in with your intuition and make sure the choice aligns with your values and long-term goals.

3. Transition Rituals: Create small ceremonies between different parts of your day. This might be three deep breaths before entering your home after work, a moment of gratitude before beginning a meal, or a brief walk around the block between meetings. These calming rituals work wonders.

Your Reflection Point

Here's a thought to carry with you this week:

The spaces between your actions are as important as the actions themselves. What grows in those spaces is what makes you uniquely you.

Now ponder the following -

Where in your life could you benefit from a strategic pause? What conversations, decisions, or projects might transform if you deliberately created space around them? Choose one area this week and experiment with the power of the pause.

Remember, sometimes slowing down is the fastest way forward.

Until next week,

Sue

P.S. - Checkout some of my writing here -

What Is Being And Becoming

Metta - Embodying Loving Kindness

An oldie but a goodie from the Blossom Your Awesome Podcast below -

Listen in on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever else you like to listen.

Be sure to keep up with me on Substack and be on the lookout for my new publication on substack - Thought Well - I’ll be sharing - audio reads and thoughts from my writing, my reading and some pondering on life - all in audio.