Less Freakout, More Timeout: A High Achiever’s Guide to Pausing…

You move fast...think fast...deliver fast!

But...what happens when fast isn’t what’s really needed?

In leadership, sometimes the most wise move… is the quietest one.

The pause.

Here are just a few (of the many) examples you might recognize where practicing a pause can change everything:

> You get hit with unexpected critical feedback and feel your defenses rise.

> A high-stakes meeting gets tense, and your instinct is to jump in and fix.

> You're making a decision under pressure and can’t hear your own thoughts.

> You’re leading change and know your team is watching how you show up.

> You’re asked to brainstorm - and realize your mind is drawing a blank.

Here's a personal fave:

> Your head’s glued to your laptop on your own deadline and a team member asks you for help with something else.

And sometimes…

> You walk in the door at home, drained from the day and want to be more present than you feel.

The carousel below is for those moments.

Practice one pause a day. Notice what shifts.

👇 Which of these moments feels most familiar to you?

💬 Drop a comment—or save and share this with your team.

It all may seem so simple, but it takes practice to make it a habit!