In her 23 years at Hallmark, Kim Alexis Newton mentored many individuals and noticed a recurring pattern—people excelled professionally but often felt unfulfilled. They were successful, but the stress was overwhelming, and a sense of purpose was missing. This realization led her to introspect her own journey. After 20 years in a stable career, she felt she wasn’t reaching her full potential and decided to disrupt herself intentionally.

This decision brought her to the Henry Crown Fellowship with the Aspen Institute, a journey that emphasized the transition from success to significance. It was an inflection point where she had to articulate her need for change, and this introspection became the catalyst for creating The Intentional Pause™.

Research Insights: Women’s Needs and Fears

To develop a meaningful tool, she invested in research—both quantitative and qualitative—surveying nearly 400 accomplished women. The findings were revealing:

• Ambition vs. Overwhelm: A staggering 91% of women were unapologetically ambitious but felt extremely overwhelmed, particularly in their personal lives. Despite feeling in control, the overwhelm was palpable.
• Fear of Failure: The predominant fear among these women was failure, affecting both their family and career aspirations.
• Dreams vs. Action: While many women dreamed daily or weekly, only 36% were actively pursuing those dreams.

These insights highlighted the need for three key elements: permission to pause, tools to move forward with intention, and strategies to combat fear.

The Power of Permission and Intention

One of the most significant barriers to pausing is the guilt associated with taking time for oneself. Many view it as a sign of weakness or loss of control. However, granting yourself permission to pause is not just important—it’s essential.

Much like companies had to pivot during the pandemic, individuals too should consider personal disruption. If you find yourself questioning whether it’s time to pivot, it likely is. Discomfort in your current situation is akin to wearing ill-fitting shoes—why endure it longer than necessary?

The Five-Step Approach to Developing a Personal Strategy

The Intentional Pause Dream Workbook is built on a five-step approach designed to help you reconnect with your dreams and transform them into actionable goals.

1. Audit: Start with a comprehensive audit of your current state. This involves assessing not only your professional achievements, but also your emotional landscape. I created a framework called “Your Forest,” which stands for Fears, Obstacles, Relationships, Emotions, and Self-Talk.
2. Dream: Engage in exercises that help you articulate your dreams and purpose. This step encourages you to explore what you are uniquely positioned to do, moving beyond mere professional ambitions.
3. Activate: Apply best practices for goal-setting to your dreams. This step involves translating your dreams into concrete, actionable plans.
4. Fortify: Create an emotional plan to support your journey. This involves addressing the emotional aspects—your fears, relationships, and self-talk—that can impact your progress.
5. Actify: This final step combines “activate” and “fortify”. It’s about integrating your goals and emotional plans into a cohesive strategy, supported by intentional pauses to reflect and adjust as needed.

Transforming Through Intentional Pauses

Transformation—whether personal or professional—requires a cultural shift. Just as organizations must embrace new ways of thinking to evolve, individuals too need to reassess their personal culture. By incorporating intentional pauses, you can listen to your inner desires, navigate your fears, and move forward with a balanced strategy.

The Intentional Pause is not just about taking a break; it’s a transformative tool that can help you achieve your fullest potential. Grant yourself permission to pause, embrace your dreams, and embark on a journey of personal and collective transformation. The world needs more women following their dreams, and it starts with an intentional pause. Learn more about Kim’s inspiration behind the Intentional Pause here and start your Intentional Pause journey by purchasing the Dream Workbook here.