How to Pause, breathe, and respond with intention

It’s automatic. Uncontrollable. Instantaneous.

Someone says something you don’t like and your emotions take over.

The guy who takes your parking spot gets the finger.

Your S.O. criticizes you, and you jump to defend yourself, rather than listen.

Your co-worker says something you don’t like and before you know it, you can hear the words coming out of your mouth, as if someone else is speaking.

This “react rather than respond” syndrome is what causes us to later run a conversation over and over and over in our heads, wishing we had said something differently or had more self-awareness in the moment.

If only you could pause, and think, so you can respond the way you chose, rather than react, as Deepak Chopra says, like a bundle of reflexive nerves.

That one skill, the pause, would make all the difference.

It’s what allows the best communicators to stay in control, remain grounded in their convictions, think about the situation, choose their words wisely, and get the results they want.

This is easy in theory, but difficult in practice. But, that’s the key: to practice it before you need it.

Here’s a 3x5 card you can print, keep in your pocket, and use to get grounded and respond with the me > you > us process. Click here to download.