The Effectiveness of a Pause

Sometimes showing up at 100% means doing less, not doing more. 

Do you find yourself in go-go-go mode nonstop? 

In listening to shows, there are times when I can tell that the show didn’t get focused before opening the mics. Shows move fast, and it’s easy to just fly into breaks. 

This is a tip for on-air teams, and it’s also useful for all of us. I do it myself before I hop on a Zoom call. 

Implement the one-minute rule. 

• One minute before a talk segment begins, stop what you’ve been doing.

• Put down phones, close laptops, stop responding to texts. Everything. 

• Get clear on what’s next. Review the setup and potential “out” and what is expected of everyone. 

• Still your body and take a few deep breaths emphasizing a long, relaxed exhale. 

• Then if you need a shot of energy, shake your body out or jump around a few times. 

And imagine the difference this practice might make when you get home. As you pull into your driveway, before you go in the house to greet your family, your dog, your plants, pause your thoughts. Take a long, grounding breath, maybe more than one. And walk in the door with intention for how you want to show up for your people. 

Give it a try. Practice the one-minute rule for your show, your work or your personal life.

Couldn’t hurt and might help. You won’t know ‘til you try.