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Do Pause: You are not a To Do list.
There is more to life than getting things done
Machines are designed to run constantly; people aren’t. Our coping mechanisms are meditation apps, weekend breaks and annual holidays, but things soon revert. To prosper, we need a more sustainable approach — an ability to pause.
Do Pause looks at the importance of this subtle yet powerful idea to communication, creativity, relationships — as well as our wellbeing and sanity. With practical tools to help you create new habits or make more significant lifestyle choices, you’ll discover ways
Reset and regenerateDeepen your thinking and experiencesTake back control of your timeReconnect with other people – and yourselfFrom taking a breath to taking a sabbatical, a pause can be many things. And the good news is, even just a small pause every now and again can make a real and lasting difference.
Machines are designed to run constantly; people aren’t. Our coping mechanisms are meditation apps, weekend breaks and annual holidays, but things soon revert. To prosper, we need a more sustainable approach — an ability to pause.
Do Pause looks at the importance of this subtle yet powerful idea to communication, creativity, relationships — as well as our wellbeing and sanity. With practical tools to help you create new habits or make more significant lifestyle choices, you’ll discover ways
Reset and regenerateDeepen your thinking and experiencesTake back control of your timeReconnect with other people – and yourselfFrom taking a breath to taking a sabbatical, a pause can be many things. And the good news is, even just a small pause every now and again can make a real and lasting difference.
128 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2019
About the author
Robert Poynton
15 books24 followersI live off grid in rural Spain, 3km outside a small town that no-one has heard of. My most recent book, 'Do - Pause', was shaped by this place and its rhythms - both natural and human. I continue to write about pause. I think we need constant reminding that our best ideas and best selves come from variation, not from being 'always on'. 'Do - Pause' received so much attention when it was published last year, that I also decided to create The Pause Project (for more information see: www.pauseproject.space).
'Do - Improvise' and 'Everything's an Offer', my two previous books, are both about improv and how the ideas and practices it rests on can help us in every day life and work. I believe that creating the conditions where good things can happen is more powerful than trying to control events or people. It is amazing to me that a body of ideas I first encountered nearly thirty years ago continue to be so helpful and so relevant.
'Do - Improvise' and 'Everything's an Offer', my two previous books, are both about improv and how the ideas and practices it rests on can help us in every day life and work. I believe that creating the conditions where good things can happen is more powerful than trying to control events or people. It is amazing to me that a body of ideas I first encountered nearly thirty years ago continue to be so helpful and so relevant.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 18, 2020
We stopped pausing and appreciating life around us, all we are care about nowadays is achieving more and more!
Do we actually pause and appreciate our tasks/life choices instead of actually completing as much tasks as we can from our endless to-do list? The answer is most probably: No, because we usually associate pausing with procrastination and low productivity and just like machines we don't want to pause.
But what is a "pause"? It is any change in your daily rhythm, it could be connecting with an old friend, or taking a sabbatical for a year, or just simply giving yourself time and space to think of things you usually overlook due to your daily concerns or you can think or it as giving yourself moments to hear the background noise that you usually ignore.
Ironically, taking a pause can help us in achieving our tasks by increasing our creativity (by incubating the ideas and giving them time to grow). They can be as short as 2 minutes daily or pausing before responding to questions which usually generates better answers! However, it's not as easy it sounds, because our society have a mental pressure to give quick and immediate answers. (In order to do this, try to shift your attention and avoid the rush by focusing on your breathing before giving any answers).
In the book, the author mentioned something that I think was amazing, they wrote that being constantly busy is actually being lazy, why? because you are avoiding looking at the bigger picture. Which tells us how important it is to take some time off every once in a while to actually look at the bigger picture and prepare to connect with your inner self and evaluate your life.
During a long break 1) you need to disconnect from technology and social media 2) avoid setting tasks for that period and leave room for the unexpected to occur :) only have an idea in mind (like a question you would like to explore).
Finally, don't forget to actually connect with people and pause to listen to their answers when you ask them how their day is going :)
Feb, 18, 2020.
Do we actually pause and appreciate our tasks/life choices instead of actually completing as much tasks as we can from our endless to-do list? The answer is most probably: No, because we usually associate pausing with procrastination and low productivity and just like machines we don't want to pause.
But what is a "pause"? It is any change in your daily rhythm, it could be connecting with an old friend, or taking a sabbatical for a year, or just simply giving yourself time and space to think of things you usually overlook due to your daily concerns or you can think or it as giving yourself moments to hear the background noise that you usually ignore.
Ironically, taking a pause can help us in achieving our tasks by increasing our creativity (by incubating the ideas and giving them time to grow). They can be as short as 2 minutes daily or pausing before responding to questions which usually generates better answers! However, it's not as easy it sounds, because our society have a mental pressure to give quick and immediate answers. (In order to do this, try to shift your attention and avoid the rush by focusing on your breathing before giving any answers).
In the book, the author mentioned something that I think was amazing, they wrote that being constantly busy is actually being lazy, why? because you are avoiding looking at the bigger picture. Which tells us how important it is to take some time off every once in a while to actually look at the bigger picture and prepare to connect with your inner self and evaluate your life.
During a long break 1) you need to disconnect from technology and social media 2) avoid setting tasks for that period and leave room for the unexpected to occur :) only have an idea in mind (like a question you would like to explore).
Finally, don't forget to actually connect with people and pause to listen to their answers when you ask them how their day is going :)
Feb, 18, 2020.
March 24, 2020
I read this in an evening (the first evening of coronavirus lockdown in the UK), and it was the perfect time for a book like this. I’ll be rereading this every year from now on.
December 26, 2021
Хөгжингүй бүс нутагт амьдарч буй залуус технологийн дэвшлийг түрүүлж мэдрэх сонсох хувь завшаантай ч нөгөө талаар тасралтгүй үргэлжлэх амьдарлын хэв маяг, бусдын өндөр хүлээлт дунд өөрийгөө элээж дуусгах аюултайсанж. Бодлоо цэгцэлжх өөрийгөө эрлэх үйл нь ихэвчлэн төсөөлөөгүй газраас ирэх ба түүний нэг нь түр зур амсхийх, магадгүй байгал тустайг судалгаагаар харуулжээ.
December 1, 2022
I like concept of the Do Lecture books and the authors always seem to be interesting people, but the books just fall flat. Same sentiment repeated over 100 pages :|
February 9, 2026
Leste på hyttetur da jeg hadde glemt bok. Startet lovende, men så ble jeg imponert på et negativt vis om hvor mange ganger en «selvhjelpsbok» kan nevne improteater, spesielt i en så kort bok. Godt budskap i boka egentlig, men føler det forsvant litt i eksempler fra millionærer og improteater
March 27, 2020
What to say? The perfect book for the perfect time (quarantine)
Very interesting and stimulating thoughts to have a better paced life and regain your time and creativity.
Very interesting and stimulating thoughts to have a better paced life and regain your time and creativity.
February 29, 2020
The modern world is addicted to being busy, but taking a break will improve your creativity, your relationships, and your gratitude. So escape from the daily grind for however long you can, and see what a difference a pause makes.
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What to read next: Mindful Work, by David Gelles.
Pausing isn’t just good for you – it’s also good for your company! That’s the conclusion David Gelles reaches in Mindful Work, a study of how meditation is changing business from the inside out.
Providing a fascinating introduction to the modern practice of mindfulness, Gelles explores the impact of pausing at an organizational level, using examples from some of the world’s most prolific companies. So to understand how you and your colleagues can benefit from mindfulness.
ref: blinkist.com
---
What to read next: Mindful Work, by David Gelles.
Pausing isn’t just good for you – it’s also good for your company! That’s the conclusion David Gelles reaches in Mindful Work, a study of how meditation is changing business from the inside out.
Providing a fascinating introduction to the modern practice of mindfulness, Gelles explores the impact of pausing at an organizational level, using examples from some of the world’s most prolific companies. So to understand how you and your colleagues can benefit from mindfulness.
ref: blinkist.com
April 30, 2021
Un excelente libro que nos deja con un importante mensaje: es necesario tomar una pausa o tu cuerpo te hará tomarla
En tiempos de pandemia y donde todo se quiere obtener en un instante el autor de este libro nos muestra que las pausas son buenas que permite que fluya la creatividad y poder manejar mejor todas las cosas que hacemos en nuestro día a día.
Este libro nos habla de la definición de la pausa, los diferentes hábitos donde podemos aplicarla y como la pausa de toma en las diferentes culturas.
Un libro corto y de mucha reflexión
En tiempos de pandemia y donde todo se quiere obtener en un instante el autor de este libro nos muestra que las pausas son buenas que permite que fluya la creatividad y poder manejar mejor todas las cosas que hacemos en nuestro día a día.
Este libro nos habla de la definición de la pausa, los diferentes hábitos donde podemos aplicarla y como la pausa de toma en las diferentes culturas.
Un libro corto y de mucha reflexión
May 27, 2023
Plenty of worthwhile and meaningful suggestions for ways to pause and ways to remember to pause. I also really appreciated the author’s discussion of perceptions of time. Do Pause is a book that is small in format but it punches well beyond its weight in good ideas and engaging prose.
June 15, 2025
Quick and simple audio listen, easy to pop in and out of without missing too much. Great reflection on how we can pause in all kinds of ways in our lives to slow down time
October 5, 2020
I love this! A reminder that a pause isn't "nothing," but actually something really important and necessary for every human being. This book somewhat reminded me of the Thich Naht Hanh book "The Miracle of Mindfulness." I feel like our society rewards those who go, go, go and we often fail to celebrate the pauses. It's like when you're running a marathon (figuratively and literally) and you only are thinking about the finish line, then you're literally missing the entire 26.2 miles...The entire journey to get to the finish line. I'm guilty of this and this book served as a reminder to take time to pause; enjoy the journey and the view will be that much better.
July 25, 2020
Definitely found inspiration in the structure of the message. It was very well organized and gave me pause to analyze my own habits. Pun intended. I particularly liked the part about layers and how we can think of time in different ways.
April 19, 2026
Resumen del libro: dime algo que no sepa pero desde la privilegiada perspectiva de un profesor universitario anglosajón que da cursos para CEOs pero vive en su finca de un pueblo de la España vaciada.
May 2, 2023
'Doing more eventually becomes self defeating. More becomes less.'
Robert Poynton has delivered a thoughtful and timely piece with this book. Robert highlights that, in a world focussed on 'doing things', it's a radical notion to 'pause'. Where often doing multiple activities and being 'efficient' (i.e. juggling to fit in ever more things on our to do lists) is viewed as productive and a badge of honour.
Instead, taking the time to pause can be incredibly fruitful. This can give space for reflection and enable ideas and thoughts that were flying around time to rest and find connections.
Reading this book itself allowed me to pause. Have you ever had a moment while on a walk, or after an afternoon reading a good book, or immersing yourself doing a 1000-piece jigsaw that an otherwise separate idea came to you? Suddenly issues that you may have been grappling with on busy days at work, seemed to settle into view in a way that made sense in a new way, or you found clarity on a problem that had previously felt like wading through treacle? Robert frames this has a natural response to have given your mind pause.
I also enjoyed the reframing of common ideas around work life balance. In Do Pause, it is suggested that rather than think of work life balance, try to think instead of building in periods of pause. These can be micro periods where we build in time and space to fully breathe or give your mind a chance to slow down before talking, or longer periods where you carve out time to create, explore, be curious and play. All things that can nourish your soul. Much like this wee book.
Robert Poynton has delivered a thoughtful and timely piece with this book. Robert highlights that, in a world focussed on 'doing things', it's a radical notion to 'pause'. Where often doing multiple activities and being 'efficient' (i.e. juggling to fit in ever more things on our to do lists) is viewed as productive and a badge of honour.
Instead, taking the time to pause can be incredibly fruitful. This can give space for reflection and enable ideas and thoughts that were flying around time to rest and find connections.
Reading this book itself allowed me to pause. Have you ever had a moment while on a walk, or after an afternoon reading a good book, or immersing yourself doing a 1000-piece jigsaw that an otherwise separate idea came to you? Suddenly issues that you may have been grappling with on busy days at work, seemed to settle into view in a way that made sense in a new way, or you found clarity on a problem that had previously felt like wading through treacle? Robert frames this has a natural response to have given your mind pause.
I also enjoyed the reframing of common ideas around work life balance. In Do Pause, it is suggested that rather than think of work life balance, try to think instead of building in periods of pause. These can be micro periods where we build in time and space to fully breathe or give your mind a chance to slow down before talking, or longer periods where you carve out time to create, explore, be curious and play. All things that can nourish your soul. Much like this wee book.
July 28, 2022
Pensar que ni la persona más ocupada del mundo está tan ocupada para tomarse una pausa es, además de un interesante ejercicio de humildad, un excelente punto de partida para reflexionar sobre qué tan acelerados vamos por la vida.
De una manera nada cursi pero sin embargo inspiradora, Poynton ofrece este Tratado sobre la Pausa, tan necesaria desde los inicios de la historia del hombre pero tan subvalorada en la actualidad.
Poynton trabaja en técnicas de improvisación, lo que da una óptica totalmente pragmática sobre la pausa y también ofrece retiros a ejecutivos hiper exigidos y totalmente quemados que después de un par de días encuentran nuevas perspectivas y un merecido y necesario descanso.
Existen pausas de 1 segundo y años sabáticos y todas tienen su valor.
Me encantó que el libro se aleja de ideas místicas y a la vez entrega herramientas para organizar una o varias pausas, que no son más que resets para transitar un poquito mejor esta vida.
Recomiendo 10/10 🫶🏻
De una manera nada cursi pero sin embargo inspiradora, Poynton ofrece este Tratado sobre la Pausa, tan necesaria desde los inicios de la historia del hombre pero tan subvalorada en la actualidad.
Poynton trabaja en técnicas de improvisación, lo que da una óptica totalmente pragmática sobre la pausa y también ofrece retiros a ejecutivos hiper exigidos y totalmente quemados que después de un par de días encuentran nuevas perspectivas y un merecido y necesario descanso.
Existen pausas de 1 segundo y años sabáticos y todas tienen su valor.
Me encantó que el libro se aleja de ideas místicas y a la vez entrega herramientas para organizar una o varias pausas, que no son más que resets para transitar un poquito mejor esta vida.
Recomiendo 10/10 🫶🏻
May 28, 2021
Tiene algunas ideas que me gustaron pero en general no me gustó el libro. Resume muchas ideas de otras obras de manera superficial. Me gusta la idea de la pausa, pero creo que necesita desarrollarla más. También, narra anécdotas personales como argumentos a favor de su postura, pero creo que las anécdotas no aportan mucho. No lo recomendaría porque en mi opinión le falta argumentar y desarrollar mejor su propuesta de la pausa, pero presenta algunas ideas (propias o de otros autores) que me gustaron
April 17, 2020
The book is finely contrasting with other productivity books, as it sets an emphasis on the rest. It is a well-structured essay, empowering the PAUSE in our everyday lives and convincingly teaching us that it is ever so important as the work itself.
June 22, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book, because it really makes you think about how you organize your daily life – and of course – if you take enough pauses. It gives you a lot of different aspects, it just didn’t give you a lot of methods how to do so, which I wished for.
January 14, 2024
Short enough and straight into the point. I liked it! The following opened my eyes: there’s more to life than getting things done!!
January 16, 2024
Perfect reminder that there’s so much more to life. Very quick read, and just overall great thing to incorporate into one’s life.
March 10, 2024
Me llevo grandes reflexiones mientras leía. Grandes pausas.Grandes descubrimientos sobre mi y sobre el uso que hago del tiempo.
Ganas de seguir descubriendo
Ganas de seguir descubriendo
April 27, 2024
Great new insight and refreshing tips on old ideas. Makes me consider how I see time and what triggers my motivation.
April 8, 2025
Some is rehash and some is a fresh point of view and of course we don't all have the option to go live in a Spanish village and make a living as we wish. But I found it useful and just the concept of pause on any kind of timeline whether it be for a minute or a year is something I will carry forward
February 18, 2020
I enjoyed the short stories from the book
December 20, 2023
A bit repetitive but has some insightful parts. Have already used one of the suggestions today
May 6, 2025
Sorbete la intención es buena no termina de dar pistas relativamente interesantes. Bien como primera aproximación, el autor tiene ideas y algunas intuiciones para el descanso y para evitar el exceso de activismo.
September 19, 2021
Pausing is not laziness, pausing is listening, learning, sharpening, and re-orienting.
October 4, 2019
Lots of interesting and applicable ideas. Quick, easy read.
April 8, 2020
Couldn't finish it. Incredibly boring.
January 22, 2024
This book was terrible. It could have been an email. A short one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews