THE POWER OF PAUSE
Do you feel bombarded with information and expected to react quickly? Take a pause. Slowing down can be very productive. Being more intentional with your time and energy and cultivating the habit of pausing can change your life. By refocusing your attention on what truly matters, and Referencing your values and goals, you can experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment in your life. Some paybacks:
· Reduced Stress: When we activate the relaxation response, we allow our bodies to calm down and recharge.
Improved Decision-Making: Giving yourself time to think things through and consider the potential consequences allows you make more informed choices.
Increased Creativity: Pausing sparks new ideas and solutions that we might have missed.
Greater Self-Awareness: Not constantly reacting to external stimuli increases self-awareness, greater self-compassion and a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Use my 5 R's of Good Decision Making
1. Recognize: focusing on the present moment. Pay attention to your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment.
2. Reflect: on the situation/emotion. What triggered these feelings? What are the underlying beliefs or assumptions that are fueling them?
3. Reframe: your perspective by challenging these thoughts. Are they truly accurate? Are there other ways to interpret the situation?
4. Refocus: your attention on what truly matters. What are your values? What are your goals to regain a sense of purpose and direction?
5. Reference: your inner wisdom. Connect with those times where you succeeded in what you are challenged with. What course of action feels most aligned with your values and goals?
Practical pause techniques:
Mindful Breathing: When you feel overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths and use this as an opportunity to Recognize your current state.
Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings to help you Reflect on your experiences.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: When you observe negative thought patterns arising, gently Reframe them by asking yourself if they are truly accurate. 50% of your perceptions are not the truth!
Set Intentions: Start your day by Refocusing on your intentions and values.
Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature to reconnect with your inner wisdom and Reference your intuition and past successes.
By pausing you are cultivating greater awareness and inner peace. You can then live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Sometimes you need to press pause to capture the true meaning of the moment and what you can do about it.