Articles
Signs & Signals
Pause subscribers share their experiences in response to two questions: What cues signal you that it's time to pause and take a break? What cues tell you it's time to focus and press on?
LE writes:
"Cues to rest: difficulty in focusing; a feeling of "drowning"; an exhaustion that reaches right to my toes; an inability to "hear" thoughts and ideas beyond my own (among others).
Cues to press on: deadlines; obligations to clients, family and friends; an intense interest; promises made (I am big on carrying through on commitment, sometimes to my own detriment - especially since I sometimes/often?? forget to use that little word "no").
TH writes:
"When I stop caring about the quality of what I'm doing and focus on just getting it DONE, I know it's time to take a break and come back to the task when I can give it the attention it deserves."
CA writes:
"I am becoming better and better at being in the present moment. The times when I'm not, I'm usually to be found spinning my mental wheels in worry, recriminations, etc. My cue, then, to pausing and coming back to the present - and the reality of the absolute glory of this life I am living - is negative thoughts! I am using them to help me return to stillness and joy, and it is truly wonderful!
JW writes:
It's time to pause .. "when I start working through coffee breaks and lunch."
R writes:
"I need to pause and take a break when my butt is numb and back sore from sitting all day and when I get a mind numbing headache and things start to look blurry and when I become really b--chy with my family.
It's time to press on when there is a deadline, when I don't have time to finish a task at any other time or to set an example for those watching me."
ED writes:
"Signs that I need to pause: jaw pain is an indication that I'm tensing up, clenching my jaw & likely grinding my teeth in my sleep. Also a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Signs that I should press on: I usually press on when I don't feel there's any option - eg. a deadline at work."
PM writes:
"For me, the biggest sign that I am out of control and need to step back is a feeling of being overwhelmed. This is usually demonstrated through a complete incapacity to stop putting things in my mouth -- any things, but usually food or drink -- or sitting mindlessly in front of the television in the evening. It is compulsive behaviour at its worst."
DH writes:
"To pause: you're going back to the same old methods and ideas, no new thinking coming out!
To press: you're excited, ideas are coming hard and fast, big sales job ahead to move things forward!"
RA writes:
"To pause... and clear and re-organize my desk, shelves and emails when and if it takes me more than a few seconds to locate something of need.
To press on... when it is just a good idea... that needs time to mature and gain attention."
CS writes:
"Time to Pause: I'm grouchy and unhappy and miserable.
Time to Focus and Press On: My cue is my calendar. It helps me to prioritize and stay calm."
LB writes:
"My cues: to pause - missing key personal deadlines, such as paying bills or meeting dates; to press on - feeling overwhelmed by deadlines."
LF writes:
"Cues for me to pause would be sore neck and shoulders, tired and sore eyes."
L writes:
"I recently had a lengthy conversation with an ex-workaholic. In reference to your Pause & Press message, his philosophy was simply this. When he finds he is working too hard, has those looming deadlines, etc.. he notes it as a sign to pause (yes, PAUSE! not PRESS!). When it seems like he should be pressing harder, that is when he really needs to stop and look at what he is doing. Go a little bit slower, therefore making fewer mistakes and not creating more work for himself. Taking his time and not becoming stressed...... The cause of our Stress (or need for pressing) is simply created by the Pressing itself, and quite frankly, is not at all necessary. Making his sign to "Pause" the simple desire or feeling of a need to "Press", makes everything quite simple."
JB writes:
"My cues to pause: when I feel so overwhelmed I can't see solutions.
My cue to press (for all the work things of life): deadlines.
My cue to press (& refocus energy on loved ones): it can be as simple as a smile or hearing someone's voice."
PJ writes:
"Cue to pause: Your child says, "But Mom, you promised to read to me LAST time, and we didn't do it!"
Cue to press: Your husband says, "I just noticed our flight leaves today, not tomorrow."
SH writes:
"Some of my cues to pause: Sunshine, pussy willows, tulips, surgery.
Some of my cues to press on: Staff shortages at work, cobwebs, disappearing snow leaving debris."
MW writes:
"I KNOW I need to stop & pause when my brain starts to feel like it's "buzzing" and I can't control my emotions ("Why isn't everyone thinking like me?")
I SENSE I should stop & pause when I start to forget things or I start to snap at people and lose patience.
I FEEL I should pause every few hours or so - take a short walk at 10:15 am and 2:30 pm; do some form of exercise at noon if I can - at least get up and stare out the window every now & then to remind myself there is life outside of work :)
I understand that if I did more of the 3rd, the other 2 would probably not occur - at least as often."
JJ writes:
"I always know it's time for a vacation when I lose a phone number between the time I've looked it up and I turn around to dial it. And in a twisted bit of logic, smokers (like me) can always find an excuse to take a break and go have a cigarette outside. I always find that a nice little 5 minute break that allows me to re-focus with sharpened concentration on the task at hand."
Eb writes:
"My co-worker and I just got back from a conference yesterday. This morning was time to press on and catch up with clients and phone calls. This afternoon to pause outside in the warm spring sunshine and put together what we learned and what we were going to do with it. We could never have enjoyed the pause without having connected first with our clients with jobs in process."
SV writes:
"It's time to pause when I start to feel lightheaded. Usually a glass of water, a small snack and a walk around the office is just the right fix."
KL writes:
"I know when it is time to kick back and relax by the tenseness in my upper back and shoulders. When it feels like there is too much to do, that part of my anatomy tells me that I am beginning to be stressed.
On the other hand, for me, when it seems I have little that has to be done--I get far more done than I do when there seems too much to do."
MT writes:
"At the end of the day one can become very irritated and tired from the demands of life. I can be totally absorbed by something and feel this constant nudging till it finally breaks through my thoughts and I look down and see Bailey, my German Shepherd dog with expectation in her eyes. Is it time to go for a walk? That's my cue to strap the running shoes on me and the leash on her and walk the stress and irritants away. It works for me... (and her)."
© 2005 - Patricia Katz MCE CHRP of Optimus Consulting is a speaker, author and consultant who helps individuals and organizations restore the rhythm of renewal to work and life. To bring Patricia's expertise to your organization, contact her at www.patkatz.com or toll free at (877) 728-5289.
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