The Pause Button (pause leadership lessons)

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The pause button is a beautiful thing these days. With DVR and on-demand viewing patterns, I love hitting that little pause button on the remote control prior to watching a TV show. It freezes live television. I then have the freedom to move around the house, laugh with my kids, go to the restroom, or just do anything else. Then, when ready, we can just come back to the TV and, because of the pause button, skip through the commercials. We all need pause leadership lessons.

In my friend, Terry Hershey’s book The Power of Pause he extends the invitation to become more by doing less. He speaks about the power of presence and the importance of finding moments to refuel and just be. He’s an exceptional speaker and storyteller that helps us all slow ourselves down. Intuitively, we know the pause button isn’t just for our remote controls but is essential for life in the world today.

For those of you who know me well, you understand how and why Terry and I connected. You know my invitation for us all to Step Back from the Baggage Claim and ReMember why and how we want to travel throughout the world. However, I see these ideas play out more and more in the organizations I serve these days. The leaders who make time to honor moments to pause, step back, and ReMember, are the ones who are able to navigate their way most gracefully through the obstacles and delays of life and work.

I’m posting this topic during a time of year when I practice the power of pause myself. Each year, I plan intentional time to step back, unplug, immerse myself with my wife and kids, sit, think, read, explore, be. It is time to refuel, to not be in a hurry, to let ideas wander, and recharge. In the process of stepping back, I always come away prepared to move forward. Pause leadership lessons that I can’t afford to forget.

I hope you, your loved ones, and your team at work are able to protect time this summer to pause, step back, and ReMember. In a world that often tells us we’ve got too much to do and we can’t possibly take the time to slow down, you’ll thank me later. In fact, you’ll be better along the next leg of your journey.

Travel Gracefully,

Jason

DSC_0097 - insideJason Barger is the globally celebrated author of Step Back from the Baggage Claim and ReMember, as well as a coveted keynote speaker and leadership consultant. More importantly, he’s striving to be an above average father, husband, and friend.

Follow on Twitter @JasonVBarger and learn more at JasonVBarger.com

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