The Danger of Running Away from Yourself: Why Pausing is Key to Getting Out

Let’s explore the importance of pausing and self-reflection to break free from toxic environments and create a life worth living.

Table of Contents

The Power of Pausing to Get Out of a Rut

When I Learned About the Power of the Pause

I was in Kosovo on a foot patrol on Thanksgiving in 2000. Our mission was to stop rebels from running arms and ammunition into Serbia for their attack on local villages. Our 7-man patrol needed to get to the top of a ridgeline set up an observation position along a goat trail, and wait.

We made good time up the hill and knew the terrain well. It was easy to get complacent. This squad had patrolled this area so many times in the past seven months. That didn’t stop the patrol leader from stopping, taking a knee, and looking around. At one point, he even took off his helmet. He said it helped him listen for that moment. That’s when I learned the practice of S.L.L.S. (pronounced “sills”). It stands for “Stop, Look, Listen, Smell.”

The squad leader later debriefed us during the after-action review and reminded us that even though we were operating in an area that felt like our own backyard it was important to take a pause and use all our senses to assess our surroundings and situation. He used the S.L.L.S. technique to determine where we were, what we should be experiencing, and seeing if anything was out of the ordinary.

In a way, you can apply a pause on your own life and career. We talk a lot about shaping your life around how you want the Five F’s to look for your success to create a life worth living in your faith, family, and career.

The Danger of Running Away from Yourself

In the episode “The Danger of Running Away from Yourself: Why Pausing is Key to Getting Out of a Rut,” the importance of pausing and engaging in self-reflection is emphasized.

Our guest, Catherine Llewellyn, highlights the danger of running away from oneself when feeling stuck in a rut. Often, individuals may make impulsive decisions to escape their current situation, only to realize that the issues they were trying to escape from are still within them. Therefore, taking a moment to pause and reflect becomes crucial in order to truly address the root causes of dissatisfaction and make meaningful changes.

The episode also emphasizes the value of self-inquiry and reflection over seeking external solutions or following societal expectations. Rather than searching for a predetermined menu of how to be, Catherine encourages us to engage in deep introspection and discover our true selves.

By taking the time to reflect on what truly matters and what aligns with their values, individuals can make more authentic choices and avoid the trap of conforming to external pressures.

Ultimately, Catherine suggests that pausing and engaging in self-reflection can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.

By acknowledging that the rut one finds themselves in may be of their own making, individuals can approach the situation with self-compassion and forgiveness. This allows for a shift in perspective, moving from blame and self-criticism to a place of self-love and acceptance.

Through this process, individuals can gain clarity, make intentional decisions, and create a life that is aligned with their true selves.

In this episode, you will be able to:

Running away from a rut may not be the best solution as the problem may be within oneself.
It’s important to pause and reflect before making any drastic changes.
Consider how leaving a rut may affect relationships with family, friends, and neighbors.
Moving on from a rut should happen when one’s whole being wants to move forward.
Being in a rut can feel safe and comfortable.

Chapters

00:02:55 Discovering My True Calling: A Humanistic Psychologist’s Journey

00:05:57 Unlocking Your Potential: How Personality Assessments Can Help You Embrace Your Opposite Traits

00:08:10 Dad’s Unforgettable Gift: Stepping Outside Comfort Zones for Love

00:13:05 Uncovering the Hidden Structures in Your Mind: How They Keep You Productive and Practical

00:18:00 Breaking Down Barriers: How One Couple Found a New Structure for Their Christian Marriage

00:20:08 Why Rushing to Dismantle Structures Can Hurt You: The Importance of Taking Your Time

00:24:01 The Danger of Running Away from Yourself: Why Pausing is Key to Getting Out of a Rut

00:26:29 Taking Control of Your Life: Thanking Your Younger Self and Choosing Your Own Path

00:29:20 Breaking Free from the Comfortable Rut: How to Navigate Relationships and Move Forward

Catherine Llewellyn

Catherine Llewellyn is a Master Humanistic Practitioner who specializes in helping successful entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners launch themselves to the next level of their lives.

Her lifelong passion for human evolution and transformation began at the age of 6, nurtured by her unconventional upbringing and encounters with influential thought leaders. This path led her to extraordinary experiences, challenges, and personal growth.

She explored and integrated the humanistic philosophical approach, along with practices such as physical embodiment, energy healing, and strategic creativity. Through her own journey of self-mastery, Catherine has led an extraordinary life filled with wonder, vibrant experiences, and remarkable achievements. Her unique perspective allows her to relate to free-thinkers and non-conformists who are always curious, sometimes impulsive, not always popular, and rarely bored.

Recognizing her passion, Catherine realized that she could best serve others who aspired to achieve self-mastery. She wanted her service to have far-reaching benefits, which drew her towards large-scale corporate leadership and transformation. Her clients, who were influential figures responsible for the success and well-being of thousands, underwent transformative journeys that brought alignment between fiscal success, values-driven leadership, and organizational culture. The remarkable ripple effects of these transformations yielded astounding bottom-line results.

Many of Catherine’s former blue-chip corporate clients have since moved on, and she has as well.

Now, there is no longer a third person in the room.

Catherine now works directly and privately with these powerful and successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Collaborating with individuals who possess boundless imagination, creativity, intelligence, and resourcefulness, she witnesses and actively participates in their surprising and remarkable leaps to the next level. It brings her immense joy and privilege to be part of their transformative journeys.

Resources

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Transcript

The-Danger-of-Running-Away-from-Yourself_-Why-Pausing-is-Key-to-Getting-Out-of-a-Rut Download

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The Danger of Running Away from Yourself: Why Pausing is Key to Getting Out of a Rut – BtR 373

The Power of Pausing to Get Out of a Rut

When I Learned About the Power of the Pause

The Danger of Running Away from Yourself

Chapters

Catherine Llewellyn

Resources

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