The Power of Pausing

Today’s note is vulnerable and personal. As a coach, I lead by going first, hoping that my own experiences help someone else feel seen.

The other night, one of my kids was deeply distressed. They were sobbing uncontrollably. For a moment, I thought something terrible had happened. When I finally heard what was going on, my immediate thought was that they were overreacting. Their response did not seem proportionate to the situation.

And then another thought popped up for me. My reaction is not what my child needs right now.

So I made a choice. I paused.

I stayed silent.

I let my husband take the lead.

Forty five minutes later, I went into her room and simply acknowledged how hard it must have been for her. I reassured her that we would figure it out together.

Why am I sharing this?

First, I have done years of mindset work, and I am still human. I still feel the pull of my automatic thoughts.

Second, pausing is everything. It gives us the space to feel our feelings, notice our thinking, and only then choose the option that will move us forward.

Third, we think so many thoughts. Some are true, and some are not. And even when they are true, they do not always serve us or the people we love. We always have the ability to choose a different thought that is just as true and far more helpful.

Intentional thinking is one of the most powerful tools I use in coaching. It shapes the way we see the world, the emotions we create, and the actions we take. And it is available to all of us.

If this resonates with you, feel free to reach out. I am always happy to chat.