From Burnout to Presence: My Most Powerful Leadership Tool

Last week, I shared how mindfulness became my lifeline during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had just transitioned to remote work, thinking it would last a few weeks. But as weeks turned into months, and months into years, I found myself feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to move forward.

I didn’t turn to mindfulness to become a better leader or build a business. I turned to it because I was struggling. I needed something, anything, that could help me feel like myself again.

What started as a simple online mindfulness challenge, just a few minutes a day of breathing and noticing, ended up shifting everything. That practice, which initially felt like a lifeline, slowly became something more. It became a way of being, and later, a way of leading.

Today, mindfulness is embedded into how I run Inspired Consulting Solutions. It shows up in how I meet with clients, design change experiences, and coach leaders through complex transitions. It’s not about perfection or performance. It’s about presence.

And it all starts with the pause.

✨ The pause isn’t a break. It’s a moment of power. A chance to:

• Notice what’s really going on

• Check in with your body and mind

• Interrupt autopilot thinking

• Respond with intention instead of reactivity

One of the simplest tools I teach leaders, and still use myself, is the Pause Practice. It takes less than 60 seconds:

1. Pause – Stop what you’re doing for just a moment.

2. Breathe – Take a full breath in, and a slow breath out.

3. Notice – What thoughts, emotions, or sensations are present?

4. Choose – What matters most right now? How do I want to respond?

When I first started, this pause helped me feel human again. Now, it helps me lead with clarity and courage.

And that’s the beauty of mindfulness, it grows with you.

So the next time you feel the swirl of stress, self-doubt, or overwhelm, try this Pause Practice. It might not change your situation, but it will change your relationship to it.

Want to bring more mindfulness into your leadership? Follow along each week at www.inspiredconsultingsolutions.com and LinkedIn as we explore practical ways to lead with presence, resilience, and heart.

Interested in bringing these practices to your organization? I offer custom leadership workshops that blend mindfulness, behavior change, and team connection, tailored for real-world challenges. Let’s talk.