Taking a Beat, Then Getting Back to It

The past month has been quieter than usual over here, and not just on the blog.

I hit pause on a few things: content, outreach, even some of the systems I usually lean on to stay productive. Not because of burnout, or because business was slow. But because life asked for a different kind of attention.

Some family things came up, the kind that remind you what really matters. The kind that doesn't fit neatly on a calendar invite. And so, I stepped back. Gave myself the space to be present, and to care for what needed caring for.

And I don’t regret it one bit.

The work will always be there.

That’s something I’ve learned again and again, both as a consultant and as a human being. There’s always another client call, another proposal, another post to publish. But the moments outside of work — the ones that shape our perspective, challenge us, or just ground us in reality — they deserve our attention too.

And truthfully, stepping away helped me see the work more clearly. When I came back to my desk, I wasn’t behind. I was ready. With sharper focus. With new ideas. With more energy to create, connect, and build.

Pausing doesn’t mean you’re falling behind.

I used to think pressing pause meant I'd lose momentum. That I'd fall behind, miss opportunities, or seem uncommitted.

But I’ve learned something different, especially since launching my own business. Pausing doesn’t stall your growth. It protects it. It gives you the breathing room to return with intentionality instead of urgency.

Some of the best strategic decisions I’ve made didn’t happen in back-to-back Zooms. They came during the quiet in-between moments, when I let myself step back and re-center.

It’s okay to pause. In fact, it’s powerful.

I’m sharing this not just as a “life update,” but as a reminder to anyone who might need permission to take their own step back. Especially if you’re someone who puts a lot of pressure on yourself to show up, deliver, and keep momentum going.

You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to take care of what’s important. And when you're ready, you’ll return stronger — not just to your role, but to your purpose.

Leadership means creating space for others, too.

One of the unexpected gifts of taking a beat is recognizing how often we don’t make it easy for others to do the same.

Whether you're a founder, a people leader, or simply someone others look to, you set the tone. If you're always "on," always grinding, it sends a message (even if unintentional).

But when we model healthy pauses, we give others permission to honor their own limits too. That’s the kind of workplace culture I want to help build — where people can show up fully because they’ve been allowed to step back when it matters most.

So what’s next?

I’ve got a few exciting updates in the works for Talent Sprout, new projects unfolding behind the scenes, and some fresh content I can’t wait to share — all with a renewed sense of clarity and energy.

If you’ve been riding that line between “pushing through” and “needing a moment,” consider this your sign: take the moment. Then come back when you’re ready. Whatever was waiting for you will be there when you get back!