Pause

August 27, 2026

Isn't it amazing that every moment we bring ourselves to a pause, be it a five second delay before answering someone back physically, a three-business days hold back before replying that "hi" text, or even a one second pause before we answer someone in our mind in the midst of what we preconceive as an annoyance often save us from a misjudgment? Well, that happened to me today.

Picture this, you are in the middle of handling queries of a client and this is after you have reassured them that you are handling them. Then, in a moment, you get a WhatsApp call from them. Your mind goes on an overdrive wondering what is it now? Your inner being wants to also go into panic mode wondering why is there an additional concern without even giving you a moment to solve the current one. Before you know it, you are almost muttering, "what really disturbs some people? Haven't I told them that I am handling the matter? Surely! Nkt!" But since you now know better, you pause.

In that pause, the WhatsApp call is dropped and you get a follow up text, "Sorry, it was a misdial." Immediately, your guts thank you for having that ability to pause. Apparently (for lack of a better word here heheh), you deem yourself mature in communication skills. Your past behaviour (quick replies and being fast in jumping into conclusions) is no longer controlling you. You have learned to measure your thoughts and words before reacting and speaking respectively.

I must acknowledge that I was quite surprised by how I handled that situation today. Not to brag per se but I found myself comparing my past to my present. In the past, I could have immediately texted back "I am handling it" and while at it, I could have spoken in my mind like "Surely! Why are some people so restless? Can't this client let me work in peace?" But today, I was so silent and as a matter of fact, I predicted that maybe it was a misdial and true to it, it was a misdial.

I once read somewhere on one of the social media platforms that that three-second pause you take before answering a question that has been asked, more so by your girlfriend (I know that it may sound as though I am addressing men only here), would really save you from a lot of trouble. Or best still, in speech, it is best to often seek verification as to what someone mentioned to you or asked you to avoid answering the wrong thing. It may seem as though you are a fool or "slow mamba" or even someone with a brain disorder. But it is better to deemed a fool for finding clarity in what is being said to you or being asked of you rather than being quick to answer back quickly only to find out that you are answering wrong. Put it in practice - be it your friend, parent, in corporate, in informal setting, or even a stranger. Take that one to three second pause seriously and see your life change for the better. As the wise say, four things come not back: The spoken word, The sped arrow, The past life, The neglected opportunity." On my part, I say that we ought to be mindful of our words specifically because it is through their use in communication that we connect with each other.