EP185: Pixie Dust Pep Talks – You’re Allowed to Pause
IN A WORLD OF PRODUCTIVITY…
…there is power in the pause.
Enjoy!
Listen Here:
(The notes below are only a brief bullet point summary of what is discussed in the podcast. Be sure to listen to get all of the goodness! If you would like a full transcription of the episode, please send an email request to: angie@angie-robinson.com. We’d be happy to provide that!)
Welcome to a new mini-series on the Leadership Magic podcast - Pixie Dust Pep Talks. These short episodes are designed to give you a quick burst of encouragement and clarity for your leadership and your life. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or simply tired of always being "on," this one is for you.
Let’s start with something simple but important: You are allowed to pause.
Yes, really. And yes, it’s as much a reminder for me as it is for you.
Logically, we know this. But in practice, it’s hard to give ourselves that permission. That inner voice gets loud with thoughts like:
“But I made a commitment.”
“People are counting on me.”
“If I take a break, I’ll lose momentum.”
“I should be able to handle this.”
Sound familiar?
Those thoughts come from good intentions. As leaders, we value being reliable and consistent. But when consistency turns into overcommitment… when reliability turns into resentment… and when leadership turns into exhaustion—we’re no longer leading from a grounded place.
We’re just running on fumes.
And that doesn’t help anyone—not our teams, not our families, and not ourselves.
The Wishing Well Metaphor
Imagine a well—like the one from Snow White. People come to it to gather water. It’s useful only when it’s full. When it runs dry, it doesn’t matter how committed the well is—it simply can’t give.
That well is you. The pause is the replenishment.
Reframing the Pause
If you feel guilty for taking a break, ask yourself: What am I making this mean about me?
Does pausing mean you’re weak? Failing? Not good enough?
Here’s the truth:
Taking a pause doesn’t mean you’re quitting.
It doesn’t mean you’re inconsistent.
It means you’re self-aware.
It means you’re playing the long game.
It means you’re leading with intention.
And the best part? By modeling this behavior, you give others permission to do the same.
What Does a Pause Look Like?
It doesn’t have to be a full sabbatical. A pause can be:
A quiet morning routine
An afternoon walk without your phone
A single day off to reset
Saying “no” to something that’s not aligned
Whatever it looks like for you, define it clearly—and give yourself the gift of that space.
Because sometimes, the magic doesn’t live in momentum. It lives in the stillness.
Final Reflection
When we pause, we allow for clarity, creativity, and connection—not just for ourselves, but for those we lead.
Let me leave you with a Disney quote from Rafiki in The Lion King 1½:
“Sometimes we have to go deep inside ourselves to solve our problems.”
Take the pause. The magic will still be there when you return.
What Do You Think?
Where are you pushing through when you could be pausing? What might one up if you gave yourself just a little more breathing room?
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