By Nidhi Kohli
February 26, 2025
Walking barefoot on the soft sands of Pondicherry’s serene beaches, I spotted a simple yet profound tagline on a tourism board—“Give Time a Break.”
I chuckled. Could time really take a break? In a world where we’re always sprinting toward the next goal, drowning in meetings, emails, and never-ending deadlines, time felt less like a gentle breeze and more like a high-speed train, dragging us along for the ride. But at that moment, standing by the French-style cafés, watching the waves lazily kiss the shore, I felt something rare—stillness.
And maybe… just maybe, it’s not time that needs a break. Maybe we do.
The Need to Pause
This reminded me of a recent hiking trip to Bear Mountain in New York. The plan was to enjoy nature, soak in the views, and find some peace. But instead, we raced to the top like it was an Olympic event, barely stopping to catch our breath. No time to admire the trees, no noticing the playful squirrels, no listening to the birds. Just one foot in front of the other—fast.
By the time we reached the peak, I wasn’t exhilarated. I was exhausted. I had “achieved” the goal, but had I actually experienced the journey? Probably not.
Sounds familiar?
At work, we’re often so focused on moving forward that we rarely stop to ask: Where am I going? Is this even the path I chose? The best ideas don’t come when we’re rushing. They come when we pause, reflect, and breathe.
The Power of Silence
Have you ever tried sitting in silence—just you, your thoughts, and nothing else? Feels a little terrifying, right? Because when we finally quiet our minds, that’s when the real insights emerge. That’s when the Aha! moments happen.
Giving time a break isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about making space for the right things. It’s about pausing long enough to find the clarity we need to move forward with purpose.
Productivity Through Presence
The world’s most successful leaders swear by their morning routines—not because they love waking up early, but because they create space to think, meditate, and plan. They listen fully, think deeply, and act with intention. And their presence alone shifts the energy in a room.
Imagine if we brought that same stillness to our work—starting the day with clarity instead of chaos, making decisions with wisdom instead of stress, and ending the day feeling fulfilled instead of drained.
Time Feels Different Now
That trip to Pondicherry left me with more than just good memories. Now, before every meeting, I take a deep breath. Before reacting, I pause. Before jumping to the next task, I give myself a moment to just be.
And you know what? Time feels different now. Not slower, but fuller. More meaningful.
So, go on. Give Time a Break. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Nidhi Kohli
Project Management and Agile Trainer and Consultant
Nidhi is a passionate educator, trainer, coach, and consultant with over 25 years of international experience. She has a knack for engaging students through personalized teaching methods and real-life anecdotes. Nidhi has an ardent focus on project management trainings, enabling Agile Mindset in the organization, and coaching teams toward their Agile implementations to ensure outcomes and enhanced productivity.
