pause

“Make Haste Slowly”: A Coach’s Compass for Navigating Life’s Journey

3 February 2024 in quote tagged coach / coaches / coaching / Haste / pause / quote / slowly

A black and white victorian esq ink style image. The background has a series of pipes and boiler type tanks with some gauges. There are also 3 round clock faces with roman numerials. These have bent and missing hands, some numbers are missing and are dirt/ink splattered. The text reads "Make haste slowly." - (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus)

Todays quote prompting some thoughts around and connected to coaching is:

“Make haste slowly.” (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus)

For me, this ancient piece of advice is not a plea to avoid speed altogether, but rather an invitation to take a moment, assess your direction, and acknowledge the progress you’ve made along the way.

In our modern world, where hustle and constant movement are often glorified, the concept of making haste slowly provides a refreshing perspective. It reminds us that adding more and more pressure to our thinking can quickly lead to overwhelm, hindering our ability to operate at our best. It’s no secret that when we find ourselves drowning in stress, our performance tends to suffer.

The beauty of “make haste slowly” lies in its ability to offer a pause—an opportunity to step back and gain a fresh perspective on the situation. It prompts us to ask if our current direction is still aligned with our goals or if it’s time to chart a new course. In the midst of a chaotic journey, a moment of reflection can be the compass that guides us toward clarity and purpose.

As coaches, we understand the importance of pacing ourselves and helping our clients do the same. The quote resonates with the reality that we are often terrible at estimating how long a particular endeavor should take. The pressure to meet unrealistic timelines can lead to frustration and a sense of inadequacy, causing us to lose heart.

“Make haste slowly” becomes a gentle reminder to acknowledge the progress made, even if it feels like we should have reached certain goals sooner. It’s an antidote to the tunnel vision that can occur when we become fixated on the destination, overlooking the valuable lessons and advancements along the way.

The Power of the Pause

In the coaching journey, we often encounter individuals racing towards their goals, fueled by the desire for quick results. This sense of urgency can be motivating, but it can also blind us to the subtle signs and lessons that the journey presents. “Make haste slowly” advocates for the power of the pause—a deliberate moment to breathe, assess, and recalibrate.

Consider a client striving for career success at a breakneck pace. The pressure to climb the corporate ladder quickly may lead to burnout and a loss of sight regarding personal growth and well-being. As coaches, we can introduce the concept of making haste slowly, encouraging our clients to reflect on their journey, appreciate their progress, and ensure their goals align with their values.

Navigating the Unpredictable Terrain

Life, much like a winding path through a dense forest, is unpredictable. We may encounter unexpected twists and turns, obstacles, and detours. “Make haste slowly” becomes our compass, guiding us through the unpredictable terrain with a steady hand. Instead of viewing detours as setbacks, we can approach them as opportunities for growth and learning.

In coaching sessions, we witness clients grappling with unforeseen challenges. The pressure to quickly overcome obstacles often leads to frustration and impulsive decision-making. By introducing the principle of making haste slowly, we guide them to navigate the unpredictable terrain with patience and resilience. It’s a reminder that progress, even in the face of setbacks, is still progress.

Embracing the Journey, One Step at a Time

Our society often celebrates the destination—the achievement of goals, the realization of dreams. However, “make haste slowly” encourages us to shift our focus from the endpoint to the journey itself. The quote invites us to savor each step, embracing the process of growth and self-discovery that occurs along the way.

As coaches, we play a crucial role in helping our clients appreciate the richness of their journey. It’s not just about reaching the summit; it’s about the transformation that happens during the climb. By instilling the wisdom of making haste slowly, we guide our clients to celebrate their progress, no matter how incremental, and to find joy in the unfolding journey.

Conclusion: The Art of Balanced Progress

In conclusion, “Make haste slowly” is not a call to abandon ambition or progress but an invitation to infuse our journey with balance. It encourages us to blend speed with mindfulness, urgency with reflection, and ambition with patience. As coaches, let’s continue to weave this timeless wisdom into our guidance, helping ourselves and our clients navigate the intricate and rewarding path of personal and professional development.

So, fellow coaches, how has this timeless concept influenced your coaching journey? Have you found yourself or your clients benefitting from the practice of making haste slowly? Share your thoughts and experiences below. Let’s continue to learn from each other as we navigate the intricate and rewarding path of coaching.

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.

Mental Pause can be a Game Changer

20 February 2015 in quote tagged Diane Dutchin / meditation / mental health / pause / solution focus / thoughts / wellness

In this weeks guest post coach Diane Dutchin shares some of her experience and knowledge:

"Mental Pause can be a Game Changer" by Diane Dutchin

Mental Pause can be a Game Changer

By Diane Dutchin

Regardless of what part of the world you live in, mental health is becoming one of the most important topic of discussion equal to physical health. It has evolved as a growing concern not only in the health industry, but in our homes, schools and work place.

It’s about time, and long overdue! There’s shame in sharing about personal struggles with mental issues – fatigues, lows, struggles, stress or depression. Different types, depth, and occurred from various life experiences. We clam up because we don’t want to be judged, and looked at differently.

Listen, if our mental state is unwell, eventually the impact will be felt and seen in other areas of our lives. No one is immune to the effects of mental illness, no matter how brilliant, popular, loving, or successful you are, it can affect us, and yes, this applies to life coaches and counsellors too.

However, through honest conversation (sometimes hard conversations) exercise, and support, we can increase awareness, and help ourselves and others remove any stigma of shame and judgement associated with mental issues, and improve our mental state.

I consider myself a highly motivated, seeing the glass as half full person, however a year ago when I graduated college as a Life Coach and Counsellor, the transition back to work wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped, money ran out, and rejection from potential employers, found me at my all-time lowest…ever.

My first reaction was self-denial…not me, couldn’t be, I am in control! However, the energy needed to pretend was spent on crying at a drop of a hat, and thoughts going places I feared. I quickly learned that it was OK to express my fears, show my most scared fearful side, to a core group of people I completely trust.

Fortunately, my decline wasn’t as low as those who struggle with mental illness every day. My loving partner was there showing support to listen and ask questions about “how I felt”, why, affirmation and encouragement. A few close friends were there whenever I needed them. Realizing I could STOP pretending and BE honest, was the first step towards the mental nourishing I needed.

We’re masters at being busy doing, telling and pleasing, and fail miserably at mental-care, being present, sensitive, and honest with self. If we continue to expend more take in less, eventually like a car that needs fuel and oil to run effectively, we’ll have mental break-downs instead of break-through, easily agitated and deflated, instead of charged and elevated.

Why mental pause? Simply put, mental pause is meant to do just that – make us pause to give our minds a BREAK! Time to check in, filter and unload and sort through what the mind consumed during the day or week. Time ALONE allows us to stop DOING and practice BEING and make an intimate connect with self by tuning into the messages your body, mind, soul, intuition and senses are sending, and provides release space.

Let’s take a look at three exercises I use to elevate my mental state.

Mental Pause I – Practice meditation:

Connect to your spiritual side, nature, yoga, prayer, formal meditation, chanting, or mindfulness. Before your feet hit the floor express thankfulness or gratitude for at least one thing. Doing this helps sets the stage to centre your mind on starting your day off right.

Mental Pause II – Mind your Thoughts:

When, not if, but when your thoughts rise up to overwhelm and affect moods, pause and count your blessings (people, accomplishments and things you enjoy). The one thing we have control over is our thoughts, so bring awareness to what goes on between your ears, and the next time your mood shifts to anger, agitation, sad or anxious, pin point the thought and work it out, don’t let it sit and fester.

Mental Pause III – Solution focus:

When unexpected things happen in our lives it throws us off guard, and consumes our every thought. Stress, anxiety, anger, and fear interrupts the flow of finding a solution. By practicing meditation and minding our thoughts, we can use that time to figure out an answer. This might be a good time to reach out to another life coach to help you with that process.

Taking time to care for your mental state can be a game changer. It will put you more in control of your mental health, and empower you to be a better coach and person who practices what they preach.

To your health and enjoyment!

About Diane Dutchin

Diane Dutchin is a certified personal and development coach at www.makethemovecoaching.com

Follow Diane on twitter or connect on LinkedIn

What You Need to Know About F.O.M.O. (Fear of Missing Out)

21 March 2014 in Guest Post tagged F.O.M.O. / fear of missing out / Gail Gaspar / mindfulness / overwhelm / pause / pause principle / possibilities

In today’s guest post coach Gail Gaspar tell us:

What You Need to Know About F.O.M.O.

(Fear of Missing Out)

By Gail Gaspar

What You Need to Know About F.O.M.O. (Fear of Missing Out) By Gail Gaspar

If you’re a feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the offers, incentives and possibilities out there, I have a suggestion.

Stop shifting into perpetual fifth gear, trying to keep up or reach for more, and start remembering how to shift into neutral.

Pause. Pause is where your pulse lives.

Funny thing…for years, I believed in the opposite, in the supreme power of motion. Continuous motion. I’ve come to learn, it’s not about “either-or” it is about “yes-and,” when it comes to the relationship between action and absence of action. Each speed is key to cultivating a decision-making process that feels aligned and true.

Mindful action is greatly informed and fueled by what I call the Pause Principle.

Everything we do has the potential to be infused with resonant action when combined with pause.

“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” –Mark Twain

Here’s a personal story where pausing before taking action literally saved me thousands of dollars and made room for a better-fit alternative. A highly publicized program recently came to my ATTENTION. You know, the message blast that comes at you from all directions, invitations and incentives galore, inferring you will be left in the dust if you don’t sign up?

I’m not often one to succumb to FOMO or Fear of Missing Out. But this one got through my radar. The course deadline looms. Primitive instincts move into high gear. Adrenaline races. I reach for dark chocolate.

Is the program something I need or even want? I was not searching for this kind of program. I set out to make an empowering decision, using the Pause Principle.

First, I took a look at the program. Then I put a question to trusted friends and colleagues on a professional forum to see what they know. Next, I step away from external data, dial my attention inside to become aware of my own sensations. (Note I did not say to see what I “think.” More about this in a later post.) I become quiet. Notice tight breath and chest, indicating some resistance. Soft focus allows me to get in touch with what my business needs now. I realize it is not this. Instead, I want to dig in to resources I already have and focus on implementing a few actions I already know. The result: I feel empowered by my choice and validated by my process.

Opportunities abound for infusing the Pause Principle. These examples provide insight and access to pause for decision-making when you need to get clear, get calm and prioritize:

A client tells me that one of his key takeaways from our coaching was “not to rush into problem solving; to take time to pause, observe and assess first.
Loretta, my yoga instructor says, “The challenge is in the pause of each pose. The pause is what strengthens us.”
Laura, my coach colleague says, “I pause to check inside. Then I push it [the question or challenge] away and keep checking back [for what’s true].“

We know the cumulative impact of racing toward nothing, reaching for more, putting too much emphasis on what and who’s out there. A very effective antidote is becoming quiet, shifting to that place of pause.

How can the pause principle find its way in to your life? What is the easiest way for you to practice pause? We would love to hear from you in the comments below, on Facebook and on Twitter.

P.S. This is the first in a series of mindfulness posts. Don’t want to miss a post? Get on the list to get it direct to your inbox. Or check the blog for a treasure trove of curated mindfulness resources to empower your actions.

About Gail Gaspar

Gail guides solopreneurs to make powerful, intentional and true choices for unprecedented personal and professional growth, impact, freedom and fun.

If you like this article, you’ll LOVE the blog! To get free resources, strategies and inspiration you can use right away to own your entrepreneurial success from the inside out, enter your name and email here: http://www.iDecideCoach.com.