"We all face moments when a decision feels urgent, consequential, and emotionally charged. Career moves, relocations, retirement, relationship changes, or caregiving transitions often come with pressure to act quickly, even when the stakes are high, and the path forward is unclear. In these moments, the quality of our decision-making depends less on intelligence or information and more on whether we create space to think clearly."
"Psychologist Viktor Frankl observed that "between stimulus and response there is a space," and within that space lies our freedom to choose. Neuroscience supports this insight. Even brief pauses can reduce emotional reactivity and allow the brain's executive functions to engage. Instead of reacting out of fear, habit, or urgency, we gain access to values, perspective, and long-term thinking. A pause should not be confused with avoidance or procrastination. It is a deliberate interruption designed to create clarity. This is a big difference."
Deliberate pauses create space between stimulus and response, allowing judgment, values, and long-term goals to guide action. Short tactical decision pauses can last seconds, minutes, or days and reduce emotional reactivity by engaging executive brain functions. Longer life pauses may unfold over weeks or months during major transitions like career changes, relocations, or relationship shifts. Pauses are active, intentional interruptions designed to clarify priorities and avoid impulsive responses. Pauses differ from procrastination or avoidance because they are purposefully timed to improve outcomes when decisions carry significant consequences.
Read at Psychology Today
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