Would you agree one or more of these describes you in a situation?
Your heart is beating quickly and you are walking quickly as you’re late for a meeting or an appointment?
Then this is how you show up.
You really cannot believe what you’re hearing so you just start speaking interrupting the person speaking and you take over and are saying what they and anyone else involved needs to hear and understand.
You Sure Showed Them!
You join a group conversation and it seems a bit somber so right away you tell a joke which is a bit edgy. No one really laughs. It turns out one of the members of the group either recently lost a loved one or lost their job or their house was robbed. Ouch!
There are more – why make you uncomfortable?
Is it possible you might consider the pause?
The pause can be powerful. It is a habit worth considering.
One example is if you are running late.
Now of course the first habit would be to get there early or on time every time. However, things happen and you are running late.
When you arrive, let them know you are there and excuse yourself to use the rest room for a moment. They will usually grant you these extra personal moments – even though you are already late – they recognize it’s better than what might happen if they didn’t.
Take the pause either before or after you conduct your personal business in the rest room. Even thirty seconds of slow and deep breathing will calm you down for your appointment.
Another example is if you and another person are speaking with each other.
The person says something which you would typically jump right in on and say whatever is on the tip of your tongue – actually the first thing on your mind.
What if instead – you took the pause – maybe you repeated what they just said to be certain you heard it right and ask if you did.
Maybe you take a deep breath and ask them a question about what they just said.
This may happen on social media or with an email. Before you frantically type your response – take the pause – wait for a few minutes – take a few deep relaxing breaths first.
Believe me when I tell you no one is waiting on the edge of their chair to read your initial wisdom filled response.
The pause is very useful in numerous other situations.
One of them is when driving in areas where there are traffic lights.
It seems like everyone wants to stomp on the gas pedal when their traffic light turns yellow or even red. On my side of the traffic light when the light turns green I pause first and look both ways before proceeding for exactly that reason.
How about you? Now that we have discussed the pause.
Where do you either see yourself utilizing the pause or would you share an example of a time when you wished you did use the pause?
Go to the comments area now and type it in.
Mitch Tublin is the CEO and Founder of Wenkroy International LLC a boutique consulting company with a main focus on Strategic Business Consulting, Training and Business Coaching. Our passion is to take people to the next level in their life and in their business. Are you interested in having Mitch speak at your company or event – click here?