What Happens When We Actually Pause

Resistance to mindfulness is something I see often. It’s frequently dismissed as something fluffy, suited only to yoga studios or self-help books. But, mindfulness is not a luxury. It’s a necessity in all areas of life - whether you’re leading a team, making decisions in your personal life, or simply trying to maintain balance in this crazy, always on world.

When I first started exploring mindfulness, I thought it was just another trend. But over time, I realised it was far more than that. It’s a breakthrough in how we manage stress, make decisions, and lead with clarity.

Mindful Leadership & Life
A study of 3,000 employees at Google found that 80% of participants in mindfulness programmes reported a significant reduction in stress and burnout. This isn’t just an isolated finding - mindfulness is making a difference for real people in real situations.

Furthermore, a 2018 study in Harvard Business Review found that mindfulness improves decision-making under pressure, enhances emotional awareness, and helps reduce impulsive reactions. These aren’t just statistics; they reflect how mindfulness is improving lives in the workplace and beyond.

Mindfulness in Action: Sports Teams and Everyday Life
Mindfulness isn’t just for business. It’s transforming sports as well. For years, Manchester United has integrated mental training, including mindfulness, into their preparation. Players use mindfulness to stay present, manage pressure, and perform under stress. The result? Consistently high-level performance in demanding environments.

And mindfulness isn’t just for athletes or professionals. It’s for anyone who wants to show up better in their personal life - whether it’s being more present with your family, handling difficult situations with calm, or simply finding peace amidst the daily rush.

Sheryl Sandberg: A Personal Story
Sheryl Sandberg’s experience shows that mindfulness is not just for calm, predictable times. After the sudden death of her husband, she turned to mindfulness to stay grounded and continue her leadership at Facebook. In her book Option B, she shares how meditation and journaling helped her process grief and lead with empathy during a time of immense loss. Mindfulness became a lifeline for her in one of the most difficult periods of her life.

So, What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of staying present and fully engaged in the moment. It involves noticing your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. It’s not about clearing your mind; it’s about understanding what’s going on in your mind and body and choosing how to respond. It’s about navigating life - with all its ups and downs - with more intention and presence.

How Mindfulness Shows Up in Your Life
Mindfulness can look different for everyone. Sometimes, it’s simply taking a deep breath before responding in a difficult conversation. At other times, it’s allowing yourself to fully feel and experience a moment, whether that’s the rush of an important decision or the quiet of a solitary walk. It’s not about forcing yourself to meditate for an hour; it’s about carving out the space to pause and reflect, to check in with your thoughts and emotions before reacting.

You don’t need to dive into an extensive mindfulness routine right away. Start small. Pick one practice, something simple you can integrate into your day. It could be pausing to take a deep breath before a meeting, or using a few minutes in the morning to centre yourself. The key is consistency. Once you make it a regular part of your day, you’ll naturally begin to build on it, discovering more ways to bring mindfulness into your life and experience its benefits.

Still Avoiding It? Let’s Be Honest
You may be thinking, “I don’t have time for this,” or “Mindfulness isn’t for me.” Perhaps you feel you don’t deserve the time, or that it’s just one more thing on your already overflowing to-do list. I’ve heard all the reasons, and I’ve thought them myself.

But I want you to ask yourself: What are you really avoiding?

Is it the discomfort of pausing and reflecting? Or perhaps the fear that mindfulness might actually work, and challenge you to face hard truths about your life? Mindfulness isn’t about adding more tasks to your list. It’s about creating the space you need - a space that will help you make better decisions, find greater clarity, and experience real growth in both your personal and professional life.

The people I work with who commit to mindfulness practices regularly experience greater emotional regulation, improved performance, stronger connections, and clearer decision-making. Whether it’s managing stress, staying present in difficult situations, or building deeper relationships, mindfulness unlocks their potential in ways they never imagined.

Are you ready to stop avoiding what could be your breakthrough? Mindfulness might be the change you've been looking for.

Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash