Hey Hey Reader! It is that time of week!
The other day, I was in a familiar situation: feeling overwhelmed, juggling multiple tasks, and trying to stay on top of everything. I was preparing for an important practice, ensuring the drills were set, mentally going over what needed to be done, and planning feedback to give the players. Suddenly, it hit me. My brain was buzzing with information, ideas, and plans.
I felt like I was spinning in circles, unsure of where to focus first. It was like I was drowning in a sea of thoughts, trying to keep my head above water. We’ve all been there, right? Whether it’s during a big project at work, a tough practice session, or even just trying to get through the day, the pressure to have everything figured out in the moment can feel suffocating. That’s when I realized…I needed to hit pause.
But it wasn’t just about “forgetting it” or “leaving it at the door,” like we’re often told to do when we’re overwhelmed. It was about permitting myself to take a moment to step back, breathe, and regroup. I didn’t have to solve everything at once. I didn’t have to have all the answers in the moment.
And it got me thinking…
It’s okay to hit pause. We don’t always have to solve every puzzle in the moment. There’s this pressure we often feel in life, sports, and business to come up with solutions right away. But sometimes, when we push ourselves to act quickly, we end up making decisions that aren’t well thought out, or we miss the chance to reflect and recalibrate.
I’ve learned the hard way that the best decisions don’t always come in the heat of the moment. When we’re overloaded with information, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of doing more, but doing more doesn’t always mean doing better. Taking a moment to pause and reset allows us to come back with a clearer head and a better plan. It’s like that feeling when you’re overwhelmed by feedback or instructions during a tough practice: instead of just powering through, you take a moment to step back, breathe, and refocus. That small moment of pause often leads to greater clarity and, ultimately, better performance.
The idea of a timeout isn’t just for sports. In fact, we can apply this concept to nearly every area of life. Think about the times when you’ve been in a meeting, trying to work through a problem with a group, or maybe even trying to make an important decision. Often, we feel like the answers have to come right away. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on.
But what if the real power lies in the ability to step back and give yourself that moment of pause? In the midst of chaos, taking a step back might just be the most productive thing you can do. It’s not about avoiding the issue or ignoring it; it’s about creating the mental space to approach it from a fresh perspective. Whether it’s in sports, business, or personal life, the best outcomes often come from having the ability to hit pause and regroup.
In sports, this idea of rethinking the timeout could mean taking a break to clear the mental clutter before diving back into a drill, offering an athlete the space to breathe before providing feedback. Coaches often give immediate corrections after a drill, but what if instead of rushing in with instructions, we used that time to help athletes center themselves and come back with focus? It’s not about just saying “don’t think about it” or “leave it at the door.” It’s about giving them the tools to reset, refocus, and approach the next challenge with clarity.
What I’ve come to realize is that the real strength doesn’t come from pushing through every single moment. Sometimes, the most productive action we can take is to stop, reset, and then move forward with a clear mind. We can become so focused on moving forward that we forget to look at where we’re going or what we’re missing along the way. It’s important to recognize that sometimes we need to slow down to speed up.
I see it all the time with players, especially in high-pressure situations. When they’re too focused on trying to “make it happen,” their minds race, and they miss key opportunities. But when they take a moment, refocus, and clear the mental clutter, they often perform better. It's the same in life. If we’re constantly moving at full speed, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important or make decisions we might regret later.
The ability to hit pause and give ourselves that space is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. And it’s something we all need to get better at, not just in the heat of competition but in our everyday lives. Whether you’re at work, in a conversation, or dealing with a personal challenge, taking that moment to hit pause and regroup is a skill that can make all the difference.
In the end, what I’ve learned is that taking a step back, whether in sports, work, or life, doesn’t mean you’re giving up or falling short. It means you’re giving yourself the space to come back stronger. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t force yourself to keep going. Take that pause, clear your mind, and give yourself the grace to reset. You don’t always need to have the solution in the moment, and sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away, breathe, and approach it with a fresh perspective.
Because after all, it’s okay to hit pause. It’s often in those pauses where the real breakthroughs happen.