Sometimes the best thing we can do for our well-being and for those around us is to Slow Down, to Pause, and even to completely Stop whatever we’re doing – for a few moments each day, or for longer periods of time.
By intentionally taking a Pause, we hear more of our inner voice, our senses and our wisdom. There’s a lot going on in the world that is disturbing, which gives even more reason to intentionally take a pause to hear and center oneself.
ICF Core Competency #2: Embodies a Coaching Mindset has a number of points that support taking an intentional pause:
- 2.03: Develops an ongoing reflective practice to enhance one’s coaching.
- 2.06: Develops and maintains the ability to manage one’s emotions.
- 2.07: Maintains emotional, physical, and mental well-being in preparation for, throughout, and following each session.
- 2.09: Nurtures openness and curiosity in oneself, the client, and the coaching process.
- 2.10: Remains aware of the influence of one’s thoughts and behaviors on the client and others.
The quality of the pause I’m referring to is that of minimizing external distraction in order to be present to and be with one’s own thoughts, emotions and sensations. There are many ways to do this, and I’m not going to suggest a particular way.
Consider taking a pause right now to hear what your inner voice says about pausing. 😊
As soon as I ask myself that question – right now – I notice I took in a slow, deep breath of air. I immediately feel more connected to my body, not just to my mind typing these words. I’m aware in particular of my right hand, and some subtle energy moving as I type.
As I write this, I have my office window open and can hear the gentle sound of water in the fountain of my neighbor’s yard. 
There’s music from a radio playing in the distance. I hear some voices of people as a door shuts. The air is still, there is no wind. It’s mid-afternoon and the light outside is muted, not fully sunshine, not fully cloudy. Every so often, I hear a car passing on the nearby road. Even that sound is quite relaxing.
As I then take my attention further inward, I notice I naturally inhaled deeply and slowly. I’m present to thoughts and emotions and aware of a subtle sensation in the right side of my abdomen area. In this moment, there is nothing I feel needs to be done, just listen and be with myself.
We can take an Intentional Pause anytime, including just before a coaching session and again after each coaching session.
For me, one slow deep inhale and exhale is enough to have me become more present in any moment, even during a coaching session.
Taking an Intentional Pause is often avoided because there can be uncomfortable thoughts and emotions lurking below the busyness. Consider how you might support yourself to be with the discomfort, and what (or who) could best support you to release anything that feels ready to be released.
By being more grounded and centered, we can be more present for all the people in our ecosystem, including for our coaching clients.
Being in nature is one way to take an Intentional Pause, whatever that means to you. Hearing and seeing the ocean is one such place for me. 
Even walking through a park in my local area connects me to myself in ways that sitting in my office does not.
I offer the opportunity to take time to intentionally pause, to breath, to listen to oneself, and to hear what your heart and spirit is wanting.
Written by Carly Anderson, MCC
Are you ready to upgrade your coaching skills, prepare for your next ICF credential, or renew your credential?
The Mentor Coaching Group Program is an ICF approved individual / group mentor coaching program. Approved for 30 of ICF Core Competency CCEs, including 10 hours of mentor coaching. For comparison between my MCC program, and Level 3, go to Q6 on FAQs page
New Mentor Coaching Program Added!
Group #85 MCC Mentor Coaching Program
commencing May 20, 2026
Visit this page for more information
I offer a rich, experiential mentor coaching group and individual program that has many exclusive offerings for participants. You can read some testimonials from real people,FAQs, or find out more about The Mentor Coaching Program here
I offer other products including The Upgraded Target Approach: Illuminating the ICF Core Competencies, as well as Ten Characteristics of MCC Skill Level. And a very unique opportunity to hear 15 consecutive coaching sessions with one of my clients in the Butterfly on the Wall Coaching Series.
A long term experienced and continuously active MCC Assessor since 2005, assessing and mentoring for all 3 credential levels. I have listened to and evaluated over 2,000 coaching session recordings between ICF assessing and my mentor coaching clients. Including being trained to assess using ICF ACC BARS Behaviors, PCC Markers, and MCC BARS Behaviors. As at September 2025, 225 of the coaches I’ve mentored for their MCC preparation have passed ICF MCC exam process (that I know of), as well as hundreds of coaches passed their ACC and PCC exam process. I do my best to communicate ICF publicly available credential information in a simple manner. Mentoring Supervision clients have access to an incredible and exclusive member-only library that includes 40+ coaching recordings that have actually passed ICF MCC, PCC and ACC credential process.
I’m passionate about supporting the professionalism of coaching, which includes often engaging in ICF projects as a volunteer to continue to develop and evolve our profession.