How your author business benefits from strategic pauses

What is a strategic pause?

Sometimes we take a strategic pause because we’re supporting family time or vacations. Sometimes we take a strategic pause because we’ve signed up for a specific opportunity - like a conference or retreat or training - so we know we need to carve out time and space to be present and attend. And sometimes, they happen because we realize something is needed, but we aren’t sure what that “something” is.

The first two spaces - family time and specific opportunities - feel intentional and clear as to why the break is needed. This episode is really about the self-imposed break that happens in that third scenario, when we aren’t sure what that “something is” but we know it’s needed.

A strategic pause is where you are intentionally putting the brakes on something or creating space in order to assess where you are, take in and synthesize new information and make decisions that help you move to your next level.

Yet, the thing about strategic pauses is that they can feel uncomfortable, even if you’ve carved out the space for it.

When you’re in that space of in between because you’ve completed something but you’re not yet where you want to be.

When you’re in a space that is about doing less, it could feel a little challenging and that inner critic might come up and question if you’re doing the right thing or try to push you to make decisions faster than you want to. It may even cause you to doubt that what you have built, what you have done, will still be there, will still be desired. It could cause you to question if your business will become irrelevant because you took a strategic, intentional break.

Yet, that inner critic is also the one that can see any space, intentional or not, as a problem versus an opportunity. That inner critic can use the fact that there’s space as a block to achieve your big why versus as a creative opportunity to move closer to and achieve your big why.

How to use one as you grow your business and elevate your author brand

If you've gone into this decision with the idea of knowing that something needed to come to an end and something new is going to start, but you need space to be able to make those shifts and embrace that new level, embrace those new changes, then this pause allows you to do that.

Or perhaps you’ve hit a plateau, and in order to grow and get your message and your book in front of even more people, you need to do some things differently because what worked for you in your first year or in your first few years isn’t working now.

Or perhaps what you did before really lit you up and you were having a blast with it, but after some with using this approach, writing in this style, or offering this service or product, you realize it’s not bringing you the same joy that it brought you when you first started.

Or perhaps you’ve been in one of these spaces and even asked yourself questions to assess your next steps, but it seems the answers are not a clear “yes” or “no” but more of a lukewarm feeling, then a strategic pause would offer the space to see if you missed it.

A strategic pause can help you see if you need to change up what you’re doing, or perhaps make a few tweaks.

Now let’s say you choose to take a strategic pause, this doesn’t have to mean that you’re stopping whatever it is – your marketing efforts, your writing process, a particular service - altogether.

It just simply means that you’re open to reevaluating and experimenting to see what is going to work for you at this new level where you are.

All the things you did previously were building blocks to get you to the current point where you are and this strategic pause along with steps you take thereafter are moving you to your next level.

In fact, you might already be at your next level with the strategic pause. It’s just that it doesn’t feel that way.

When you use these strategic pauses in your business, they can provide the space you need to assess where you are, gain clarity for what’s next, even if it’s the immediate next step, a resurgence of energy and passion toward your big why, as well as get acclimated to this next level.

No matter if this is your first or one of several strategic pauses - you don’t have do them alone. During one of mine over the summer, I worked with my business strategist to level up my business infrastructure, if you will. Although I did the work, she was there every step of the way guiding me, being a sounding board, gently questioning me so that not only was that time used wisely, it propelled me toward my goal. Was it comfortable in this pause, not at the beginning. But I realized that this strategic pause with the right support actually created a feeling of expansiveness and excitement for what’s to come.

One thing is for certain - strategic pauses work because they are “strategic” which means you are intentionally using the time wisely to refill your cup, however you need. Seeking support may be part of it, so be willing to get it, especially if you think the pause has gone on longer than you’d like. When you’ve used the time well, you return with a renewed sense of energy and excitement, even when you don’t have all the answers.

Owning your greatness, getting visible, and sharing your message can be the scariest thing to do.

Yet so it staying where you are. What felt expansive at first, has now contracted because you have grown, and it’s time to expand again.

Want to go deeper? 

I believe if the story came to you, it must come through you to share. You've already done the brave work of writing and publishing. Now it's time to show up powerfully as the thought leader you are, so your message reaches the people who need it most. Because when visibility opportunities arrive — a book signing, a podcast invitation, a speaking engagement — it's not only about the writing anymore. It's about you, fully showing up, as the person behind the work and message. 

Author Stylist 

Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, and Share Your Message is for that moment. Not how to get more opportunities — how to make the most of the ones that come to you, so you show up with confidence, shine in the room, and let your book and message reach the people who actually need them. You already have the courage and the gifts that got you here. This book helps you use them. https://www.jennifermilius.com/books 

Want to go beyond the book and let your message reach the people who need it most without downplaying your authority or hiding your power? The Author Stylist Services and Resources will help you show up authentically as the expert you are, and when you do there's a joy and confidence that radiates. That's what I help you tap into - so your voice, your message, and your work can make the impact they're meant to make. Author Stylist Services and Resources: https://www.jennifermilius.com/stylist