Pause with Purpose

We have to make hundreds of small decisions daily, and at times it can feel like we’re running on autopilot. We start acting without thinking, and the day passes by in a blur, but when we pause with purpose, we are able to clear our minds and regain focus. Taking a moment to think before making a decision, starting a new task, or collaborating with others allows us to act intentionally instead of out of habit or reflex.

This is the biggest difference between reacting to the world around us and responding to it. The emotional side of our brain reacts in about 350 milliseconds, whereas the logical side of our brain takes about four to six seconds to catch up to that. Instead of reacting impulsively based on the emotions we feel, we take control of our thoughts by pausing. This allows us to be deliberate in our actions because we give our brains enough time to process the information fully, and then we can respond appropriately. 

While taking this moment to pause might seem overly simple, the results can be transformative. It can improve the quality of our decisions, the clarity of our communication, the strength of our working relationships, and our sense of self. The acronym STOP was introduced as a mindfulness practice, and it tells us to stop, take a deep breath, observe, then proceed. This practice can be applied to high-stress situations as well as common occurrences. The idea is to calm the nervous system and create clarity of mind before taking action.

This is very different from the stress response of freezing instead of choosing fight or flight. Pausing does not lead to inaction; it leads to intentional action. Within the workplace, we do not want to succumb to our emotions when facing a difficult decision, nor do we want to get lost in busywork. We want to turn our actions into meaningful progress, which means we must think before we act. This week, don’t just take the time to pause. Pause with purpose, and ask yourself, “What would happen if I approached this situation with intention rather than urgency?”

-Meghan Slaughter