When my top-tier, expensive free trial on Beehiiv was expiring, I faced a decision for this very newsletter. I wanted to add an audio option for subscribers but it came with a new $60 per month price tag.

“In today’s economy??”

My mind started racing like a hamster on a wheel. Is the cost worth it? Who would even use it? Should I just do it for a couple of months and see what happens? The pressure to make a quick choice was overwhelming.

In moments like this, when emotions run high, I lean on a personal rule I call “Take 24.” For any non-urgent but important decision, I give myself a full 24 hours before making a final call.

So I hit pause. During those 24 hours, instead of wrestling with the decision, I talked to people. I learned some subscribers have low vision and rely on audio. Others listen while driving or exercising. And my own dad just does not like reading on his iPad LOL.

By the end of the 24 hours, the decision was clear and confident. I care about community and appreciate all of you giving me your time each week. Adding the audio option became an easy yes.

This week we are exploring that simple but powerful framework. Let’s break down the “Take 24” rule and the strategic power of the pause.

My Take 24 rule is not just a personal quirk. It is a version of a powerful principle used in high-stakes environments to manage emotions and improve outcomes. Here are a couple of examples:

Article: "The 24-Hour Rule Will Change Your Relationships"

Source: DougSpeaks.com
This piece explains why waiting 24 hours before responding when emotions are high helps the logical part of your brain catch up. It prevents permanent decisions based on temporary feelings.

Read more here: https://dougspeaks.com/24-hour-rule-will-change-your-relationships#:~:text=When%20emotion%20is%20high%2C%20don,the%20brain%20to%20fire%20up.

Article: "How Alabama Football Players Handled the 24-Hour Rule After a Loss"

Source: Sports Illustrated
Legendary coach Nick Saban uses a 24-hour rule for his Alabama football team. Players get a set time to celebrate or mourn before resetting focus on the next game. This structured pause helps maintain resilience and momentum.

Read more here: https://www.si.com/college/alabama/football/how-alabama-football-players-handled-the-24-hour-rule-after-a-loss-01j9pgktcc2t

Moral of the story: a structured pause is a champion's tool. It provides the space needed to move from raw emotion to sound judgment. It will often save you money, time, and energy. Three of the most sought after, highly-valuable assets in 2025.

The “Take 24” rule is more than waiting. It is a three-part playbook for better decision-making. Moving from reacting emotionally to responding intentionally.

Whether you’re one of those people that’s easily overwhelmed with non-urgent situations or not, this week is for you.

Key 1: Create Space (The Initial Pause)

The first step is discipline. Resist the urge to answer immediately. Our world rewards speed, but wisdom often needs stillness. Creating space means hitting the pause button. It means not firing off that emotional email or making a big commitment when pressured.

Like a great point guard slowing down the offense to read the defense, this pause gives you control. It stops reactive momentum and lets you shift into a thoughtful, strategic mindset. This edge can serve you in every part of life.

In the business world, rushing a major decision can lead to costly mistakes. Whether it’s launching a product or approving a budget under pressure, taking a deliberate pause helps leaders avoid impulsive choices and align with long-term strategy. On a lighter note, we all know “that meeting could’ve been an email”… just don’t berate someone over it.

Actionable Advice:
For any non-urgent decision, make a rule to sleep on it. Give your brain and body at least one sleep cycle before the final call.

My pro tip here is to throw in some exercise and one of your favorite snacks or meals. Allow the body to feel safe and secure to enhance the ability to make a clear decision.

Key 2: Gather Data and Perspective (The Active Wait)

The 24-hour pause is not passive waiting. It is an active process of improving your decision inputs. Get good meals, move your body, sleep well. Most importantly, talk to your people.

My decision on the audio option was transformed by hearing others’ perspectives. Sometimes ideas just come to you through conversation or you go seek them out. Either way, counsel is key.

An athlete does not just rest after a game. They rehydrate, get treatment, and review film. As much as I hated sitting down to watch clips of me turning the ball over, it made me a better player in the long run.

Similarly, great leaders don’t make important decisions in isolation. They seek input from trusted advisors, peers, and even people outside their usual circles to catch blind spots.

If you’re making decisions in a silo, you’re in the wrong timeline. This particular one thrives on communication, community, and character.

In business, this looks like pulling together cross-functional insights (marketing, sales, finance, and customers) all contributing to a clearer picture before moving forward. Let everyone be a star in the role.

Actionable Tip:
For your next tough decision, seek three perspectives. One from a mentor, one from a peer, and one from outside your industry. Fresh viewpoints help break down blind spots.

If you don’t already have these three people in your corner, you’ve got homework 😄

Key 3: Decide with Clarity (The Action Step)

After creating space and gathering data, make your decision. Now you act from clarity and confidence. The answer often feels simple because you have done the work. You’re rarely ever worried about a test you’ve genuinely studied for.

For me, adding the audio option became an easy enthusiastic yes. It’s like a quarterback calling the perfect play in the timeout, ready to execute with full confidence. It’s a leader presenting a strategy backed by solid information and team alignment. Everyone on your team wants to get to the end zone.

In the workplace, leaders who communicate decisions clearly and with purpose reduce friction and inspire buy-in. When everyone understands the why, projects move forward smoothly. Even with hiccups, empower your team to feel part of the solution.

Actionable Tip:
When you decide, state your reason in one sentence. For example, “I am choosing X because Y.” If you can explain it clearly and simply, you know you’ve made a sound decision.

The pro tip here is to write it down. Go for a short walk away from your desk, preferably outside. Come back, write down another version, then say both out loud. Whichever one feels better is your answer.

Post-Game Recap: Winning with the Power of the Pause

Taking a deliberate pause before making decisions is not about hesitation. It is about gaining clarity and confidence. When you create space, actively gather perspective, and decide with intention, you turn reaction into thoughtful action.

Remember my story at the start: the overwhelming pressure to decide quickly gave way to calm and certainty after “taking 24.” That pause helped me serve you better by adding the audio option — a choice I might have rushed past otherwise due to sticker shock.

In a world that values speed, the real edge belongs to those who slow down enough to make decisions that last.

If this newsletter gave you something to think about or helped you slow down and make better choices, the best assist you can give is sharing it with someone who could use the same boost.

Forward this email or share the subscription link with a friend, colleague, or teammate. The more we grow, the stronger our community becomes.

Got thoughts or questions about your own “Take 24” moments? Hit reply — I’d love to hear what you’re working through and how you’re applying the pause.

Also, let’s connect! I hang out on LinkedIn and Instagram, sharing insights and stories throughout the week. Join me there for more conversations on mindset and leadership.

Finally, here’s one thing I’m looking forward to this week: walking my 2 miles a day since I’ve been cleared!

Thanks for your time! Take 24 if you need to! See you next Sunday 🏁