Bold Horizons: Stop and Soak It In (Even When Life Feels Non-Stop)

You don’t always need to rush to the next thing. Sometimes, the most powerful leadership move is to be fully present.

On Day 3 of my Bold Horizons cruise, I found myself walking across the top deck of the ship — not to go anywhere, but just to breathe. Surrounded by ocean, with nothing demanding my attention, I remembered how much clarity comes when we stop and soak it all in.

That’s easy to do when you’re on holidays.

But what about when you're not?

This week alone I was in Perth, Brisbane, the Hunter Valley, and finally — finally — back in my home office in Sydney on Friday. The meetings, the airports, the hotel rooms, the speaking engagements… they don’t exactly offer you a hammock and a sea breeze.

And yet, I still found a few quiet moments — moments to reconnect, reset, and simply be.

Here’s what helped. These are my 3 practical ways to “stop and soak it in” — even when life is moving fast.

 1. Own the Micro-Moments

You don’t need a two-week sabbatical to take a breath — sometimes, you just need two minutes of intentional pause.

• In the back of the Uber to the airport, I closed my laptop and just looked out the window.
• I took five quiet breaths before walking into a boardroom.
• On the plane, I paused before diving into emails and just reflected on the impact of the week so far.

💡 Leadership presence isn’t about time — it’s about attention.

 2. Anchor Yourself with a Reset Ritual

Find one small thing you can do daily to bring yourself back to centre.

For me, it’s making a cup of tea in silence — no phone, no music, just the rhythm of the moment. It’s small, but it’s mine. And it gives me something constant in the middle of chaos.

Maybe for you, it’s a sunrise walk. A 3-minute journaling practice. A quick stretch between meetings. Choose something simple, repeatable, and grounding.

💡 The best leaders don’t wait for calm — they create it.

 3. Zoom Out on Purpose

When we’re in the thick of it, everything can feel urgent. But the truth is, most of it isn’t. Stepping back — even mentally — helps us lead better.

This week, I made a habit of asking myself:

What really matters in this moment?

That single question reframed my entire Friday. I stopped chasing the inbox and spent time checking in with a team member instead. It didn’t slow me down — it made me more effective.

💡 When you zoom out, you lead with clarity, not just speed.

Your Bold Horizon

You don’t have to be at sea to find space.
You don’t have to be on holidays to take a breath.
And you don’t have to pause your leadership to be present in it.

Wherever you are this week — whether in transit, at the desk, or deep in the juggle — give yourself permission to stop and soak it in.

Because that’s where bold leadership begins.

— Michelle
Founder, Unique Leaders Network

Here's what I recorded on Day 3 of my cruise back in April 2025!