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.

Psychology suggests that better decisions rarely come from rushing or overanalyzing. Instead, they emerge from what I call a strategic pause. This is a deliberate break between stimulus and response that allows judgment, values, and long-term goals to guide action. This pause can occur in a single moment or unfold over weeks or months during major life transitions. Understanding when and how to pause........

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