This month we are going to focus on pausing productivity tool – pausing!

Actually, December is a great time of year to think about the "power of the pause." With our 24/7 connectedness, we see people all around us behaving like whirling dervishes, trying to fit EVERYTHING in, and not feeling all that satisfied about the "everythings" they get accomplished.

Pausing creates space. It allows people to think. It allows people to appreciate. When there is space, it allows new ideas and energizing thoughts to creep in.

Otherwise, our brains and to-do lists are so cluttered, we can easily miss opportunities to rest, relax, and be creative.

Pausing might be as important to your productivity as the smart choices you make on what to work on. It affords a reset. It creates a transition. And it allows your brain to relax.

And on a personal note, very sorry for the play on words, but folks, we just got a new puppy, and we have been doing a lot of "PAWSING" that has been essentially forced by her need to exercise and do her other "duties." So say hi to Gracie – our five month old Black Mouth Cur mix rescue!

We are going to devote our blog posts and podcasts this month to this "pausing"opportunity," so please stay tuned for tips and strategies that can help you incorporate and take advantage of the "pauses" we all need.

Brain Clutter: Your Productivity Sapper (20 second read)

Using Reflection to Improve Your Life Wiki-How - (50 second read)

Stop. Reflect. Try New Things Forbes - (40 second read)

Pausing can really be an asset to an emailer.

• How many times have you pressed "send" and then realized that you had forgotten the attachment?
• How many times have you reviewed a message you have sent only to notice you misspelled the person's name, or something almost as important?
• How many times have you inadvertently (ahem) sent an email to the wrong recipient?

I like to suggest that prior to sending an email you PAUSE, review it, read it thoroughly, and THEN hit send. The reality is that it will take you only a few seconds to avoid consequences you could have easily caught. Sound good?

"A pause gives you breathing space so listen to the whispers of the real you waiting to happen." — Tara Estacaan

"More often than not- Life moves really fast! It's only for you to pause and breathe! Sadly, none else can do that for you!" — Jasleen Kaur Gumber

"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." — Albert Einstein

And finally...

"It's not so much knowing when to speak, but when to pause." — Jack Benny

Here is your monthly challenge: build a regular time to pause in each day.

This is easy to accomplish when it is something that you do every day. It could be while you brush your teeth, while you drive to work, while you start on the treadmill... Once you have found a time you would like to try, press the intentional pause button. De-clutter your brain, allow it to wonder, and be calm.

This does not have to take much time at all, or if you prefer, it can! The point is, and I feel strongly about it, is that when you pause, the more productive you can be. Try it, and let us know how it goes!