The Power of the Pause: Boost YOUR Creativity

Image: Oscar Keys via Unsplash

Building a solo business is not for the faint of heart.

As I celebrate three years of growing my coaching practice, Goldfinch Leadership, I’ve been reflecting on what this journey has truly required: constant attention, trial and error, and many failures – each teaching me something new. I've had to push my creative thinking skills beyond their previous limits, all while continuously creating content to share my ideas, voice, and offerings. It often felt like a hamster wheel, and by this past summer, I was burned out and exhausted.

So, I decided to break the rules. This past August, I went dark on LinkedIn. No posts, no marketing, minimal interactions. I took a deliberate pause.

The reason? I was mentally drained, and the pace I had been keeping was unsustainable.

As an introvert, I thrive in quiet spaces where seemingly unrelated ideas can bounce around, forming new connections in unexpected ways. And here's where a vital creative thinking technique comes into play: the power of the pause.

Why Pausing is Essential for Creativity

The idea of pausing isn’t just a personal preference; it's backed by science. Neuroscientific research reveals that our brains benefit significantly from intentional breaks. During moments of rest, the brain's default mode network (DMN) becomes highly active. The DMN is the region of the brain associated with mind-wandering, daydreaming, and self-reflection – activities that are essential for creative thinking.

When we're constantly "on," our brains remain in a state of focus that's excellent for completing tasks but not necessarily conducive to creative thought. In contrast, pausing activates the DMN, allowing us to connect dots, generate new ideas, and solve problems in innovative ways. This is why some of our best ideas seem to appear out of nowhere while we're in the shower, out for a walk, or – in my case – stepping away from social media for a bit.

In my Applied Creativity: The Future of Work program, we explore this concept in-depth. One section is dedicated to helping participants understand how to leverage the power of the pause as a strategic tool in their creative process. It's not just about taking a break; it's about creating the mental space needed for creativity to thrive.

A Real-Life Case Study: Tim Cook and Rick Rubin's Approach to the Pause

An excellent example of this comes from Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple. When Cook took over as CEO after Steve Jobs' passing in 2011, he was under immense pressure to maintain the company’s innovative edge. However, instead of rushing to push out new products at Jobs' pace, Cook took a more measured approach. He often took deliberate pauses before making significant decisions, allowing time for careful reflection.
A prime example of this is the development of the Apple Watch. Rather than rushing it to market, Cook and his team spent time iterating and refining the product to ensure it aligned with Apple's core values and truly brought something new to users. This strategic pause was pivotal, resulting in a product that redefined the wearable tech market. Cook's approach illustrates that in a high-pressure industry like technology, taking time to pause can lead to thoughtful, innovative outcomes.

Rick Rubin, the legendary music producer for artists like the Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, LL Cool J, Lady Gaga and Johnny Cash to name a few, embodies a similar philosophy. Known for his deliberate pacing, Rubin emphasizes the importance of creating the right environment for creativity. His work with artists involves a process of slowing down, removing distractions, and allowing space for deeper, more authentic expression. Rubin's approach aligns with the idea that creativity flourishes when given room to breathe.

Together, Cook and Rubin exemplify how stepping back – whether through strategic pauses in business or creating a conducive atmosphere in the studio – fosters creativity and clarity. They echo the practices of many business leaders who use time blocking to carve out "thinking time" in their calendars. This intentional scheduling of breaks allows them to step back from the noise, reflect, and generate more innovative ideas.

My Own Experience with the Pause

During my LinkedIn detox, my post impressions dropped to an all-time low. On some days, my content reached as few as 44 people. And you know what? That was fine. The algorithm can survive a little downtime.

But my ideas? They thrived.

Stepping back allowed me to close mental loops that had been nagging at me for weeks. I came back with a clearer sense of direction, reenergized, and ready to dive into new projects. Projects like building a rich and transformative on-demand course to help others grow their creative thinking capacity, convert anxiety, frustration and overwhelm into solutions, and embrace a new identity as someone who is creative, an incredibly powerful mindset that sets you up to tackle challenges with gusto.

As I reflect on these past three years of building my business, I realize that the constant push, the trial and error, and the failures had put me on a limited supply of creativity. Taking this pause wasn’t just a break; it was a much-needed shift. It reminded me that real growth, whether in business or creativity, sometimes requires stepping back and letting the pieces fall into place.

Creating Space for Your Own Pause

If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, consider taking an intentional pause. It doesn't have to be a month-long social media detox. It could be a short, daily walk without your phone, a weekend free from emails, or simply some quiet time for deep thought. The key is to give your brain the space it needs to wander, reflect, and make new connections.

In my Applied Creativity course, participants learn how to integrate these pauses into their routines strategically. It’s not about quitting; it's about setting the stage for the kind of deep thinking that fuels groundbreaking ideas. This is precisely the lesson I learned through my own experience – and the practice that leaders like Tim Cook and Rick Rubin have shown to be invaluable in their fields.

Final Thoughts: Leaning Into the Long PauseIntentional breaks are powerful. They help us recharge, refocus, and reconnect with our deeper, creative selves. As we step back, take a breath, and lean into the long pause, we find that we come back sharper, clearer, and more aligned with our goals.

So here's to quitting for a bit – to stepping back and finding the clarity we need to create something truly remarkable. As I look back on three years of Goldfinch Leadership, I’m reminded that pauses aren’t just a break from the hamster wheel; they're the key to building something lasting.

Ready to Explore the Power of the Pause?

If this idea resonates with you, I dive even deeper into these concepts in my Applied Creativity: The Future of Work program. And in celebration of my company's third anniversary, I’m offering an exclusive deal – the entire course for just $99 (regularly $985) until November 15 if you use the coupon code 3YearsFor99. Learn more and sign up here.